It has long been my belief that rail operators should offer standby fares
similar to airlines on booked seat services which are not long distance.
Discounts of, say, 50% can be available from 30 minutes before departure.
How you define "long distance" is debatable. For V/Line it would mean Swan
Hill, Albury and Sale services. For Westrail definately the Australind and
Avonlink. For Countrylink at least Canberra and Dubbo services.
By 30 minuted before departure, I mean from each station along the line.
For example, Goulburn could only sell discount tickets to Sydney or
Canberra 30 minutes before departure from Goulburn, not 30 mins before
departure from the originating station.
Cheers
David