General News
21 April, 2023
Works continue to limit performance
V/LINE surpassed its reliability performance target during March for the fourth consecutive month, but punctuality slumped again as temporary speed restrictions remain in place.
Reliability performance on the Warrnambool line was 97.8 per cent during March, exceeding the 96 per cent reliability target for the fourth consecutive month.
Of the 274 services scheduled to operate on the Warrnambool line, just six were unable to run for all or part of the journey.
The montly punctuality result stood at 68.6 per cent, which a V/Line spokesperson said was a result of a number of factors contributing to delays including a train fault at Southern Cross Station and trespassing incidents.
Services on the Warrnambool line have been impacted by temporary speed restrictions implemented following poor weather in the region. Some of these restrictions will be lifted following important maintenance works to some of the worst affected sections of track during upcoming V/Line works in April and May.
As part of these works, 1700 concrete sleepers are being installed in four locations. “
The Warrnambool line continued its strong recent reliability results in March, with 97.8 per cent of services delivered – the fourth consecutive month of strong reliability on the line since services were increased,” the spokesperson said.
“Crews will complete important maintenance works over the coming weeks, which are critical for the ongoing upkeep of the line and will see the removal of temporary speed restrictions along some sections of track.”
Some delays are expected to continue when rail services return, as trains slow down at various locations between Marshall and Warrnambool to protect the safety of construction workers and passengers while other upgrade and improvement works continue along sections of the line.
Upgrades are continuing on both the Geelong and Warrnambool lines throughout Autumn, with coaches replacing trains on sections of the line until Wednesday, May 3 for level crossing removal works at Deer Park, V/Line annual maintenance works and construction on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds duplication.
The South Geelong to Waurn Ponds duplication will deliver more than 8kms of duplicated track, providing additional places for trains to pass each other between Waurn Ponds and South Geelong, reducing the risk of delays in this busy section for Warrnambool line trains.
