Advice has been received through the TPI Association that Great Southern Rail is in the process of being sold by its UK based owners, Serco Group plc, to Australian owned Allegro Funds.  The business of Great Southern Rail will continue to be developed with the change of ownership and specifically, no change to the entitlements of concession holders, including TPI’s, will result from the change in ownership. 

Also of note is the statement in the 2014 Federal Budget announcing that the funding for concessions on Great Southern Rail journeys will cease from 1 July 2016.   This impact of the cessation of this concession beyond that date is still being assessed.  All relevant stakeholders will be advised of the outcome once the impact for concession holders has been determined. 

The TPI Association have further advised that this issue will be discussed at its next Committee meeting – more to follow!! 

Hint - those planning to travel via Great Southern Rail to either Perth or Darwin may well need to do so before 1st July 2016.  

Peter Bright
Secretary
VVAA Victorian Branch 

(03) 9747 8125
0438 597 932
secretary@vvaavic.org.au