Regional leaders and commuters in Warrnambool have expressed frustration after the Victorian Government’s 2026–27 state budget failed to provide extra funding for additional train services on the Warrnambool line, despite ongoing concerns about severe overcrowding. The budget announced on May 5 includes millions of dollars to operate nine daily return services on the Shepparton rail corridor, a line that currently carries fewer passengers than the Warrnambool route but already has significantly more scheduled trains. Passengers on the Warrnambool line, which connects south-west Victoria with Melbourne, have reported regularly standing for long periods due to high demand and limited service frequency. Local advocates argue that the lack of funding overlooks the transport needs of one of regional Victoria’s busiest and fastest-growing rail corridors. The omission has reignited calls for the Victorian Government to increase service capacity and improve reliability for communities across the Great South Coast, with critics describing the decision as a major disappointment for regional transport investment.