General News
30 August, 2023
Performance dips for V/Line punctuality
V/LINE has recorded mixed results on the Warrnambool line throughout July, including a new lowest monthly punctuality performance result for 2023.
V/LINE has recorded mixed results on the Warrnambool line throughout July, including a new lowest monthly punctuality performance result for 2023.
The Warrnambool line recorded a reliability result of 96.3 per cent for the month of July, exceeding the reliability target for the eighth month in a row and recording among the best performance results for the year.
Of the 270 services scheduled to operate on the line in July only 10 were cancelled.
Despite the strong result, the punctuality result for the Warrnambool line for the month was just 66.5 per cent.
The figure represented the worst punctuality result for the line since December 2022, setting a new low for the year, falling over 25 per cent short of the V/Line punctuality performance target.
Punctuality on the line is defined as long-distance commuter services arriving within 11 minutes of the expected departure and arrival times.
A V/Line spokesperson said there were a number of reasons for service changes on the line including track obstructions, animal strikes, and train and track faults.
Despite the mixed results, the spokesperson said services on the Warrnambool line were proving popular with commuters.
“Warrnambool line services were particularly popular throughout the month, with passengers taking advantage of cheaper fares and the school holidays to travel around Victoria,” the spokesperson said.
“Over the past 12 months the Warrnambool line has been one of the most reliable on the network with 97 per cent of services delivered.
“We continue to support the busiest Warrnambool line services with standby coaches wherever possible.”
Significant upgrade works are set to continue on the line as spring weather begins to settle in.
Coaches will replace trains between Geelong and Warrnambool from Saturday, September 2 to Sunday, September 10 and from Wednesday, November 8 until Thursday, November 23.
Work will also continue on major upgrades to South Geelong and Marshall stations, preparing for the new second platforms, pedestrian overpasses and ramps.
Upgrades to train detection technology will continue at level crossings between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool, as part of the more than 50 public level crossings being upgraded as part of Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade to allow modern VLocity trains to run to Warrnambool for the first time.