The release of new V/Line timetables promised “more services and more choice for regional passengers” but details reveal the Warrnambool line largely misses out.
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Earlier this year the state government said the new timetable, due to come into effect from August 27, would skip Tarneit and Wyndham Vale stations during most weekday services, leading to more room and a quicker journey.
However, despite the changes appearing in the new timetable, at least eight services will be slower.
Warrnambool line passengers have been held up by low punctuality rates due to speed restrictions since last year, and a rail expert recently found average train speeds and travel times were much better in 1985.
The Melbourne-bound Saturday morning service, which will depart Warrnambool at 7.32am, will take 20 minutes longer with added stops at North Geelong, Lara, Wyndham Vale and Tarneit.
The 5.50am Melbourne to Warrnambool weekday service will take an extra five minutes despite dropping stops at five stations near Melbourne, while the current 9.05am Melbourne-bound service will depart at 9.18am instead and arrive 11 minutes earlier.
A timetable that started in January this year already increased Warrnambool line journey times by between four and 22 minutes to reflect the slower running times caused by speed restrictions.
A new timetable will also add 69 services to the Geelong line, including 30 services on weekends, meaning trains will run at least every 40 minutes between 7am and 7pm.
Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said her government was delivering the services and infrastructure regional Victoria needed as it grew.
