General News
8 December, 2023
V/Line punctuality remains low, upgrades ongoing
V/LINE recorded a slight improvement in punctuality performance last month as line upgrades continue to impact performance.
In October, the Warrnambool Line recorded a reliability result of 92.0 per cent, with the main cause of cancelled services due to infrastructure and rolling stock faults.
The punctuality result for the Warrnambool line in October was 56.5 per cent, which is a slight an improvement on September’s result of 51.2 per cent.
With performance targets of 96 per cent reliability and 92 per cent punctuality, the result marks the third occasion both monthly performance targets have been missed this year.
Punctuality performance on the Warrnambool line has yet to meet or exceed the monthly target this year, however V/Line has attributed the performance issues to ongoing line upgrades.
“Works on the Warrnambool Line are progressing well, with crews upgrading and improving multiple level crossings as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade, which will enable VLocity trains to run on the line for the first time,” a V/Line spokesperson said.
“We acknowledge recent delays on the Warrnambool Line have been frustrating and we thank passengers for their understanding, while we continue working to balance operating passenger services with ensuring workers can also safely complete these critical upgrades at the same time.”
Crews are currently completing level crossing works in Camperdown, Colac, Terang, Winchelsea and Warrnambool, which includes trenching, drainage and under boring, installing boom mast foundations, cable hauling, location box installation and maintenance access track construction.
“Crews are currently working to upgrade train detection technology at more than 50 public level crossings along the line as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade,” a V/Line spokesperson said.
“Track Force Protection is in place to ensure the safety of these workers, meaning trains need to slow down during their journey.
“This is having an impact on the punctuality of services, but these temporary speed restrictions are enabling trains to continue running while works are taking place.
“Alternatively, the line would be shut and coaches would replace trains for extended periods. V/Line is continuing to review the current arrangement to see if any improvements can be made to help lift the on-time performance of Warrnambool line trains.”
Services on the Warrnambool line have experienced a large boost in travellers despite the impact works are having on performance.
Since the launch of the regional fare cap, patronage on the V/Line network has increased by around a third and the Warrnambool line continues to prove popular with 43,000 passenger trips taken during October.
Upgrades delivered under stage two of the Warrnambool line upgrade, which has been underway throughout 2023, will allow government-promised VLocity trains to run on the line for the first time.