Nearly one in two passengers on the Werribee line is forced to squeeze into overcrowded trains during morning and afternoon peaks, according to a new Public Transport Victoria survey.
The Metropolitan Train Peak Passenger Loads report was compiled as a result of a survey of commuter numbers taken in May this year.
The surveys are conducted twice-yearly to measure passenger loads against capacity benchmarks and help pinpoint when and on which sections of Melbourne’s 15 rail lines passenger loads are at their highest, with the results used to determine where extra services are required.
On the Werribee line, the percentage of passengers travelling on overcrowded morning peak trains leapt from 32.7 to 46.7 per cent between May, 2013, and May this year.
Those making the journey home during the afternoon peak fared little better, with the percentage of passengers on overcrowded trains at 46.7 per cent.
Despite these figures, earlier this month, Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the latest customer satisfaction monitor showed passengers using Melbourne’s public transport were more satisfied with the network than when the Coalition came to office in 2010.
“Satisfaction with running of train services is now at 71.5 per cent, the highest on record,” Mr Mulder said.
But Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said that given Wyndham’s rapid population growth, the government urgently needed to boost services on the Werribee line.
“The Werribee line carries a lot of passengers, but services haven’t improved in some years,” Mr Bowen said.
“A train every 11 minutes in peak obviously isn’t enough.
“Improvements need to be made to help connect people to railway stations without them having to drive and fight for a car park.
“The opening of the Regional Rail Link in 2015, with new stations at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit, will also help in providing a second rail line into the outer west, though we are yet to hear details of how many services will run.”
