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Lets Refresh The Journey.
Enhancing Passenger Comfort on Victoria’s VLocity Trains
The rollout of Victoria’s next-generation VLocity trains has brought major improvements in speed, efficiency, and network modernization across the V/Line service.
However, the removal of onboard catering and refreshment services has had an unintended consequence: a noticeable decline in passenger comfort and satisfaction.
This gap is particularly felt by key passenger groups — including elderly travelers, school groups, regional commuters, and tourists — who now face long journeys without access to basic food, beverages, or connectivity.
Smart Rail’s Enhanced Amenities Solution offers a practical way forward.
We provide a self-contained, rail-compliant vending and connectivity system designed specifically for the VLocity fleet.
Our units deliver:
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Hot and cold meals
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Snacks and beverages
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A secure, modern passenger Wi-Fi hotspot
All within a fast-to-deploy, cost-effective, and scalable framework — no major retrofitting or infrastructure overhauls required.
With a focus on safety, compliance, and ease of integration, Smart Rail’s solution helps PTV enhance the end-to-end passenger experience, align with customer service goals, and meet the evolving expectations of regional rail users.
We’re ready to work with PTV and V/Line to put comfort and amenity back where it belongs — onboard.
Design
Hot & Cold Food Options
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Heated meals: Ready-to-eat soups, noodles, pasta cups, and rice dishes using safe internal heating mechanisms.
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Cold items: Sandwiches, wraps, salads, yoghurts, fruit cups, and chilled drinks.
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Snacks: Muesli bars, biscuits, chips, trail mix, and confectionery to satisfy a range of dietary needs.
The Food offer will be a significant improvement on previous offers. All food options are shelf-stable, stock-rotated, and restocked on demand to ensure freshness, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
Implementation
Successful deployment of vending machines on VLocity long-distance trains depends on precise, low-disruption integration with existing carriage layouts and operational timetables.
Our installation and servicing plan has been carefully designed to meet the high standards of Public Transport Victoria (PTV) and V/Line while minimizing any interference with regular services.
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Per Unit Installation Time: 2.5 hours (from unpacking to handover)
Technology
Built-In Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability
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Passive data hub installed inside each machine
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Offers public Wi-Fi access for passengers
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Optional branded welcome screen or survey feature upon login
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This feature adds significant value to the overall passenger experience and positions the vending machine as a multi-functional tech node, not just a snack unit.
Customized
Manufacturing a mobile vending machine is no easy feat — unlike stationary units, these machines must be engineered to withstand constant bumps, vibrations, and movement without compromising performance.
Every component, from internal shelving to payment systems, must be shock-resistant, securely fixed, and rigorously tested to operate flawlessly in a dynamic environment like a moving train or bus.
It's precision manufacturing designed for controlled chaos.
Integrated Convenience Hubs
1. Hot & Cold Food Options
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Heated meals: Ready-to-eat soups, noodles, pasta cups, and rice dishes using safe internal heating mechanisms.
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Cold items: Sandwiches, wraps, salads, yoghurts, fruit cups, and chilled drinks.
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Snacks: Muesli bars, biscuits, chips, trail mix, and confectionery to satisfy a range of dietary needs.
All food options are shelf-stable, stock-rotated, and restocked weekly to ensure freshness, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
2. Smart Payment System
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Tap-and-go (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
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NFC integration for contactless service
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Optional public transport smartcard compatibility for future integration
No cash required. This reduces maintenance, increases hygiene, and aligns with current customer payment habits.
3. Rail-Compliant Construction
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Shock-absorbent internal structure to withstand train vibrations and movement
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Anti-tamper design: Reinforced steel casing, internal locking system
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Flush wall or baggage-bay installation to minimise intrusion into passenger space
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Meets safety and fire standards for enclosed transport environments
4. Live Inventory & Maintenance Alerts
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Real-time inventory tracking through Sky-link-enabled telemetry
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Usage statistics for predictive restocking and product mix optimization
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Automated alerts for maintenance issues or temperature anomalies
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This allows our team to operate on a "just-in-time" service model, reducing downtime and stockouts.
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5. Built-In Wi-Fi Hotspot Capability
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Passive data hub installed inside each machine
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Offers limited public Wi-Fi access for passengers
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Optional branded welcome screen or survey feature upon login
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This feature adds significant value to the overall passenger experience and positions the vending machine as a multi-functional tech node, not just a snack unit.
6. Custom Branding & Localized Products
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Exterior skins can be branded with PTV-approved visuals, route maps, or regional tourism campaigns
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Machine menu can prioritize Victorian-made food and beverage brands
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Optional screen displays for advertising or passenger notices
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This ensures each machine fits within PTV’s aesthetic and communication framework, while also promoting regi
