WARRNAMBOOL to Melbourne passenger train service performances are improving, but are still running late because of track disruptions including vandalism to signals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
June figures released by V/Line yesterday show 100 per cent reliability, but 88.1 per cent punctuality — 4 per cent short of the official target.
A spokesman for the rail operator said performances on the Warrnambool line showed an upward trend in the past year.
“We are holding pretty well and all-in-all reliability is pleasing despite some interruptions due to track improvements,” he said.
“It means 88 per cent of our services are on time to within 10 minutes.
“The Warrnambool line’s average punctuality during the past 12 months has been 86 per cent.”
June’s performance was the best since December just behind May which had 89.6 per cent, but ahead of the 75 per cent in April, 75.2 per cent in March, 79.7 per cent in February and 82.2 per cent in January.
V/Line said there were no cancellations of Warrnambool trains for April, May and June.
Of the trains that were delayed by more than 10 minutes contributing factors included late arrival of connecting coaches, line blocked by a freight train, a faulty suburban train, a motor vehicle obstructing the track, vandalism to signal cables, network congestion in a suburban area and inclement weather.
“The $4.1 billion Regional Rail Link project will benefit Geelong and Warrnambool passengers by providing dedicated V/Line tracks, meaning these trains will have a clear run to and from Melbourne, separated from metropolitan trains,” the spokesman said.
“When Regional Rail Link is completed, timetables for the Geelong and Warrnambool lines will be reviewed.”