Ballarat line trains have never been more unreliable than they were in January.
Just 87.5 per cent of trains ran as scheduled in the first month of the year, the worst result since Public Transport Victoria’s reliability records started in August, 2000.
The data’s release coincided with Infrastructure Australia saying the line needed to be duplicated and electrified as far as Melton in the next five to 10 years to avoid road congestion.
Upgrading the line, which runs through Ardeer, Deer Park and the Caroline Springs station expected to open later this year, is one of only two public transport projects identified as a priority in Victoria by the national body.
Greens MP Colleen Hartland, Melton MP Don Nardella and Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik seized the opportunity to call on the state government to fund the upgrade in this year’s budget.
“I don’t understand why the government isn’t just moving on with [the upgrade],” Ms Hartland said. “The benefits are enormous – not just for Melton but also for getting cars off the road, giving people a choice … it has benefits for Deer Park and Ardeer.”
Mr Nardella said he was committed to working with Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to solve the region’s public transport woes.
“The need is there even more now,” Mr Nardella said.
He said he would welcome the Melbourne Metro Project again putting the upgrade on the agenda as a vital link to the city for both daily commuters and for connecting people to other services and appointments.
Cr Majdlik said she hoped Infrastructure Australia’s report would convince the state government to commit to duplicating and electrifying the Melton line as soon as possible.
Upgrade of the line has also been identified as a priority by Brimbank council.
Ms Allan would not confirm whether or not the upgrade of the railway line would be included in this year’s budget. But she conceded services along the Ballarat corridor would substantially increase.
“Last year, the Andrews government delivered the largest public transport investment in Victoria’s history, and further investment will be announced as part of this year’s budget,” Ms Allan said.
A V/Line spokeswoman said a drop in reliability was due to coach replacements on the Ballarat line in January due to additional maintenance for higher than normal wheel wear on its VLocity fleet.
“We are working to have services returned to normal as quickly as possible and have implemented a new maintenance regime to slow down the rate of wheel wear on the VLocity fleet,” she said.
with Ben Cameron
