AB1037 from MEL to MQL hasn't enjoyed good punctuality in the last eight days. It operates thrice weekly.
Yesterday B73M VH-UKH on this 1215 hours ex MEL took off at 1337 hours, arriving at 1429 hours, 59 late.
On Monday 12, it was the same plane but timetabled to depart at 1750: it took off at 1842 for arrival at 1936 hours, 31 behind.
On Friday 9, it was scheduled as a 1950 hours early evening departure. It was airborne with VH-UIK at 2105 for arrival at 2158 hours, 53 late.
While one wouldn't suggest the modes are substitutable for every prospective passenger, V/Line operates numerous road coach trips daily from Swan Hill to Mildura and return (typically connecting with trains, though some coaches go all the way to/from Bendigo) for which the fare from 31 March 2023 has been lowered (single, not return) to $4.60 for an adult and $2.30 for a child, pensioner, student or Victorian senior 60 and over. This fare also applies to Melbourne to Southern Cross, or indeed Orbost to Mildura if one wanted to make such a journey.
As I've not looked at the Bonza app, I do not know its fares but reports from friends indicate the V/Line coaches (that prior to the fare decrease were well patronised) are now often full on many trips, 55 seats a trip generally as this government-owned operator may not put a second coach on (although I've not been there to observe of late). It is compulsory seat booking on the coaches (though not on connecting trains).
