For the sixth month in a row, the Warrnambool train line has earned the dubious honour of having the worst punctuality in the state.
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Just 31.2 per cent of services ran on time in March, despite the target for the line being 95 per cent.
Services that run 10 minutes and 59 seconds late are still counted as on time.
The line has been held up by speed restrictions, some of which were in place around level crossings deemed dangerous after a collision between a locomotive and a truck at Pirron Yallock last year.
Warrnambool resident Shaunie O’Connor, who uses the train regularly to get to medical appointments in Geelong and Melbourne, said she was not surprised by the latest figure.
Ms O’Connor, who has autism, ADHD and also experiences fibromyalgia syndrome, catches the train at least once a fortnight.
She said relying on the service was “very frustrating”.
“I was so late to Geelong one day I missed everything,” Ms O’Connor said.
She said she had her learner’s permit to drive, but was waiting on additional approval to be able to drive independently with the medication she takes.
Once it comes through, Ms O’Connor said she will just drive to Geelong when she has medical appointments.
“Look how many trains they have daily in the city, but they can’t get the measly little Warrnambool line to run on time,” she said.
“They gave us these extra services and they’re all late too.”
V/Line chief executive officer James Pinder said maintenance works currently underway on the line would help improve punctuality, and said the organisation was aiming to have all speed restrictions removed by the end of the year.
“The bottom line is we can’t lift these speed restrictions until it is safe to do so, and we will never compromise the safety of our passengers,” Mr Pinder said.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of passengers on the Warrnambool line, and I can assure them we’re delivering these upgrades so we can restore services to the level that they deserve.”
A level crossing at Weerite was recently upgraded, part of a $10 million state government plan to upgrade 20 risky crossings on the line to allow speed restrictions to be lifted.
Reliability on the Warrnambool line for March was 97.4 per cent.