General News
28 March, 2024
Swift concerts draw huge passenger influx
FEBRUARY was a busy month for V/Line on the Warrnambool Line.
More than 31,000 passengers boarded trains during the month, bolstered by 6300 trips taken between Friday, February 16 and Sunday, February 18 – coinciding with the three Taylor Swift concerts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
While the numbers were impressive, performance on the line again fell short of intended punctuality and reliability targets.
The Warrnambool Line recorded a reliability result of 91.9 per cent in February 2024, with train faults the main cause of cancelled services.
V/Line’s reliability target is for at least 96 per cent of scheduled services to run as planned.
The line recorded a punctuality result of 64.2 per cent, with a temporary timetable introduced to assist passengers with planning their journey while critical works progress along the line.
While V/Line has a punctuality target of 92 per cent, Track Force Protection and temporary speed restrictions are in place along sections of the line to ensure the safety of workers, while allowing trains to run at the same time.
Workers are currently continuing upgrades to enable VLocity trains to run to and from Warrnambool for the first time as part of work on Stage 2 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade.
The upgrades include new train detection technology and safety improvements at more than 50 level crossings.
A V/Line spokesperson said it was positive to see so many passengers making use of V/Line services.
“More than 31,000 passengers travelled on the Warrnambool Line in February, as passengers took advantage of cheaper fares to travel to major events like the Taylor Swift concerts,” the spokesperson said.
“While crews continue to deliver critical upgrades on the Warrnambool Line, we continue to encourage passengers to check the temporary timetable to help plan their journey.”
Work is currently progressing on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication, with the Surf Coast Highway in Grovedale reopening a week ahead of schedule on Friday, March 1 after a three-week works blitz to realign the highway under the new rail bridge.
The project includes major upgrades to Marshall and South Geelong stations, and level crossing removals at Fyans Street in South Geelong and Surf Coast Highway.
A temporary train timetable remains in place for the Warrnambool Line is in place on weekdays until Friday, April 19.
Weekday trains to the city are departing up to six minutes earlier from Warrnambool, Sherwood Park and Terang stations.
Weekday trains from Southern Cross to Warrnambool will arrive approximately six minutes later.