The latest monthly performance figures from V/Line show 88.5 per cent of services arrived at their destination on time in September, compared with 90.7 per cent the previous month.

The figures show the service, which is undergoing a $114 million State Government upgrade, still fall short of V/Line’s punctuality target of 92 per cent. 

The data revealed that of the 220 Warrnambool line services that operated for the month, 184 arrived on time. 

The figures show 99.1 per cent of services were delivered in September, exceeding the target and returning the highest reliability result since April.

V/Line chief executive officer James Pinder said it was the third consecutive month of reliability improvement for Warrnambool passengers.

“Of the 218 services that were scheduled for the month, only two were replaced by coaches which was really pleasing to see,” he said.

“Improving our performance for passengers is our top priority and we are working with our performance team through the reasons behind this result.”

The main reasons for delays to services last month was due to trains stopping longer than the time allocated in the timetable, train faults and trespassing incidents in the Geelong section of the corridor that meant trains had to be held until given the all clear.

Mr Pinder said there were some concerns about illegal activity on rail lines.

“Across the regional network, we did see a higher-than-normal number of trespassing incidents across the network last month, which delayed services,” he said. “We continue to remind people to avoid taking risks in the rail reserve, as it not only delays services but is extremely dangerous.

“If anyone witnesses this sort of risky behaviour, we encourage them to report it immediately.”