Community
19 December, 2024
Steady improvement on the Warrnambool line
SERVICES on the Warrnambool line jump to one of the strongest performance results of the year during November after the introduction of modern VLocity trains to the line.
Throughout November, 99.2 per cent of Warrnambool Line services were delivered as scheduled – surpassing V/Line’s reliability target of 96 per cent.
The punctuality result, however, continued to fall below the performance target of 92 per cent after 84.5 per cent of services arrived within 11 minutes of schedule.
A V/Line spokesperson said VLocity trains are more modern, accessible and reliable than classic fleet trains and their introduction reduces the risk of train faults, resulting in cancellations and disruptions to passenger services.
“More modern VLocity trains and an extra return service on weekends are now in place to ensure Warrnambool Line passengers have additional travel options and a more reliable journey,” the spokesperson said.
As Western District Newspapers has reported, V/Line introduced a reserved seating trial for Warrnambool Line services on December 6.
Under the reserved seating trial, if all seats are booked on a Warrnambool Line service, passengers have the option of purchasing an unreserved ticket, which alerts them that they may have to stand for all or part of their journey.
“We’ve also introduced a reservation-only seating trial for all Warrnambool Line services to give passengers more certainty over seat availability when planning their travel over the summer holiday period,” the spokesperson said.
A fourth return service on Saturdays and Sundays has been added to the Warrnambool Line timetable as part of the almost 200 extra weekend V/Line services being progressively delivered across the state.
Three Warrnambool Line services in each direction now run as VLocity trains seven days a week.
Planning is continuing for a fifth weekend return service to be added to the Warrnambool Line in 2025.
Stabling works for VLocity trains at Warrnambool Station will be completed in 2025, with all services to run as VLocity trains once complete.
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