Trains will stop at a number of additional stations, rather than run express through them, on the Melbourne-Traralgon line.
Minister for Active Affairs and Public Transport Gabrielle Williams said a new V-Line timetable had been introduced with the first and last services on each day, including weekends, now stopping at Trafalgar, Yarragon, Longwarry, Bunyip, Tynong and Nar Nar Goon.
She said the change would create more travel options for those communities.
The last of the diesel locomotives that have operated a number of services between Bairnsdale and Melbourne have been moth-balled. All of the services will now be operated by V/Locity trains, rather than some of them.
The change follows the expanding of the stabling facility at Bairnsdale to house two three-carriage V/Locity trains overnight.
Ms Williams said over the past decade 800 new services had been added to the V-Line network across the state including 200 at weekends.
Also benefitting train travellers Ms Williams said the regional fare cap had provided major savings.
For example the full adult one-way fare for travel between Bairnsdale and Melbourne was now $10.60 where previously it had been $39.40.