Ms Cleeland said the rollout of free public transport had pushed already stretched regional services beyond capacity, with passengers regularly unable to board trains or connect with replacement buses.
“Free public transport is only helpful if you can actually get on,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Right now, people are being left on platforms, missing work, missing appointments, and struggling to get home because the system simply isn’t keeping up.”
Ms Cleeland said the pressure is being felt most during disruptions, when buses replace trains, but there is not enough capacity to meet demand.
“When services go down, people rely on buses to get where they need to go, but too often there just aren’t enough running,” she said.
“That means people are left standing at stations with no clear way forward.”
She said families, students and workers across Benalla, Seymour and Kilmore are bearing the brunt of a system that has not been properly planned for regional communities.
“For many people, public transport is not optional. It’s how they get to work, school or vital health appointments,” she said.
“I’m hearing from locals who are missing shifts, missing classes, and being forced to scramble for other options at the last minute.”
Ms Cleeland has launched a community campaign, asking commuters to share their experiences and photos of overcrowding and missed services.
“The response has been immediate,” she said.
“I’ve seen packed carriages, people sitting on floors, and others left behind entirely.
“These are real stories from our community, and they deserve to be heard.”
Ms Cleeland will also launch a petition calling on the government to increase bus services and review overall regional transport capacity.
“There is a simple fix here,” she said.
“We need more buses, better coordination during disruptions, and planning that actually reflects the reality of regional demand.
“Regional Victorians deserve a transport system they can rely on, and I will keep pushing until we get it.”
