The popularity of the Regional Rail Link has put a strain on the V/Line network, a Victorian Auditors General report has revealed.
The report into V/Line passenger services found punctuality along the south-western corridor – which covers Geelong line stations Tarneit and Wyndham Vale – had been “significantly lower” since the Regional Rail Link opened in June, 2015, mainly due to significant growth in patronage and faster-than-expected wheel wear on VLocity trains.
The report also found:
•More than half of all Geelong peak services are at maximum capacity;
•Since the opening of the RRL, patronage on the Geelong line – V/Line’s busiest line – has increased by 80 per cent; and
•V/Line was not prepared for the strong growth in patronage and the resulting increase in service demand following the opening of the RRL.
• Trains fill up significantly at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit stations during the morning peak.
“V/Line has not successfully dealt with the challenges it has faced over the past decade,” the report states.
“However, it has recently started to turn this situation around.”
The findings come as no surprise to Wyndham commuters, who told Star Weekly via Facebook they were being packed in train carriages like sardines.
Emma said morning commuters were likely to get a seat if they jumped on a train at Wyndham Vale, but it was standing room only by the time trains reached the Tarneit station.
Julie said congestion was not only a peak-hour issue, with trains filled to capacity on weekends, too. Joseph called on V/Line to increase service frequency, adding that Geelong line commuters faced a 30-minute wait between trains during the evening peak.
Under the state government’s Network Development Plan, five new RRL stations have been earmarked for Wyndham in the next 10-15 years, to be located at Davis Road in Tarneit West, Black Forest Road in Wyndham Vale, Sayers Road, Tarneit, and Truganina.
Wyndham economy, innovation and liveability director Kate Roffey said that until the state government fast-tracked new stations and new services, there would continue to be a lag between demand and capacity.
“In our most recent submission to the state government ahead of the 2017-18 budget, one of the key projects we requested funding for was the fast-tracking of a new railway station at Black Forest Road in Wyndham Vale,” she said.
“We have also advocated for the early delivery of the Tarneit West train station.”
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan blamed V/Line’s performance on a “cost-cutting regime” from the previous Coalition government.
“[It] put significant pressure on the operational capacity of V/Line, and shifted the focus of the organisation to saving money, rather than maintaining the network and delivering the services passengers needed,” she said.
