High-speed VLocity trains will not operate on the Warrnambool train line despite $114 million upgrades, leaked documents have revealed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Victorian Nationals deputy leader Steph Ryan pointed to December 2018 V/Line documents during question time on Wednesday which revealed the government had chosen not to operate V/Locity trains on the Warrnambool line.
In 2017 Premier Daniel Andrews visited Warrnambool station to announce the $114 million line upgrade, which he said would pave the way for VLocity carriages to run on the line for the first time.
But internal V/Line documents reveal the promised upgrade to the Warrnambool line would not enable the high-speed trains to run.
The final impact statement said the "resolution to adopt Option 1 (Five return Loco-Hauled services per day to Warrnambool) reflects loco-hauled services to Warrnambool and the subsequent elimination of V/Line’s Requirements for DMU [VLocity trains capable of travelling at 130km/h] running between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool".
It further revealed that “only the 12 base scope level crossings in the level crossing options paper will be upgraded, as loco-hauled services can operate over the remaining level crossings and train speeds will not be increased”.
Under questioning, Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said VLocity trains would operate on the Warrnambool line “eventually”.
Ms Horne has been contacted by the The Standard but has not responded yet.
The VLocity trains were expected to cut 20 minutes off travel times.
The current service takes three-and-a-half hours, permitting there are no delays.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said documents revealed there were still plans to operate a fifth daily train service, but VLocity trains were "out of scope".
"This means the tracks they are upgrading will not handle VLocity trains," she said.
"We will continue to get more of the same locomotive trains, which will result in more cancellations and unreliability on the line.
"It will be quite disastrous running five trains (without the VLocity trains).
"Warrnambool line passengers deserve modern trains that will improve reliability. It is really unacceptable that they have just dumped Warrnambool line passengers once again."
Mrs Britnell said Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Transport Jacinta Allan had continuously stated the $114 million upgrade would "pave the way for VLocity trains".
"We are being completely duped," she said.
"Money that was supposed to deliver improved regional connections is being used for maintenance.
"There is no doubt that the track absolutely needs to be replaced, but fixing the track is only fixing half the problem.
Passengers have suffered through continuous delays and cancellations while works on the line are underway.
Temporary speed restrictions were in place for about five months as 45,000 sleepers were replaced between Colac and Warrnambool.
And while those restrictions were lifted on Tuesday, more delays are expected, with trains being replaced by coaches for more than two weeks in April.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
