The state government needs to do more to bring the struggling Warrnambool train line up to speed, the opposition transport spokesman says.
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MP David Hodgett, the shadow minister for public transport, said while he welcomed the government’s investment of $10 million to upgrade 20 level crossings on the line, additional measures should be introduced sooner to achieve a “reliable, punctual service”.
“Speed restrictions will be until end of the year,” he said. “We would have thought they would explore all options to allow trains to arrive on time.”
Mr Hodgett said Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan should direct V/Line to review speed restrictions – particularly those relating to track conditions – to ensure they were not too conservative.
The MP said the “harshest” speed restrictions should be examined, and measures including having flagmen manning particular level crossings should be looked at.
“It would only be a very short-term measure but the minister hasn’t considered it at all,” Mr Hodgett said.
He said punctuality rates on the Warrnambool line in December and January – 15.4 per cent and 12.6 per cent – were some of the worst in history.
"The government is neglecting the people of the south-west coast,” Mr Hodgett said.
“People, when I speak to them, they want a rail service that is punctual, clean and efficient that can get them to appointments or work or whatever they need to do.”
Mr Hodgett made explicit reference to speed restrictions relating to track conditions – which he said prevented trains from travelling at their maximum speed of 115 km/h. Restrictions should be reviewed and required track upgrades worked out, he said.
The MP said it was likely the Coalition would make announcements about additional services and upgraded rolling stock on the Warrnambool line closer to the 2018 election.
He said he had travelled on the Warrnambool line in the last 18 months, and planned to do so again.