V/Line Adds Early Trains for ANZAC Day Access

V/Line adds 3:55am and 4:00am trains from Wyndham Vale and Melton for Dawn Service

V/Line Adds Early Trains for ANZAC Day Dawn Service

V/Line will run two additional early morning trains on ANZAC Day, Saturday 25 April 2026, to help riders reach Melbourne's Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. The special services depart Wyndham Vale at 3:55am and Melton at 4:00am, arriving at Southern Cross before the 5:30am ceremony begins. Officials said the extra trains are designed to accommodate increased demand for travel to the commemorative event.

Context & Background

The Melbourne Dawn Service, held annually at the Shrine of Remembrance from 5:30am to 6:30am, draws thousands of attendees honoring Australian and New Zealand Army Corps service members. V/Line, Victoria's regional public transport provider, typically adds capacity for major civic events to ensure accessibility across the state. The ANZAC Day services complement the agency's extended free fare period, which runs until 31 May 2026 on all V/Line train and coach services. Officials said passengers who've already booked tickets during this period can apply for refunds online or at staffed stations.

Key Details

The Wyndham Vale service stops at Tarneit and Footscray before reaching Southern Cross at 4:31am. The Melton service makes additional stops at Cobblebank, Caroline Springs, Deer Park, and Ardeer, arriving at Footscray at 4:30am and Southern Cross at 4:41am. Passengers traveling to the Shrine of Remembrance via Anzac Station should change at Footscray Station to board Cranbourne, Pakenham, or Sunbury line services, officials said. The agency didn't specify whether return services will operate immediately after the ceremony or what capacity limits might apply to the special trains.

Timeline & Implementation

The special services operate only on ANZAC Day, Saturday 25 April 2026, with departures timed to deliver passengers before the 5:30am Dawn Service. Officials didn't provide details about whether similar services will run for afternoon or evening ANZAC Day events. V/Line encourages passengers to plan trips in advance using the agency's journey planning tools.

Rider Impact & Moovit

Riders attending the Dawn Service from western suburbs and regional areas will have direct early morning access without needing to arrange alternative transportation. Those traveling from other V/Line corridors should check connection times at Southern Cross or Footscray to ensure arrival before the ceremony begins. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for V/Line services, helping riders navigate schedule changes and connections for special events like ANZAC Day.