Commuters are bearing the brunt of delays and cancelled services, with punctuality for V/Line’s Ballarat trains plummeting since the Regional Rail Link opened last month.
The link was supposed to free up capacity for both regional and metropolitan services but has instead led to frequent cancellations and overcrowding.
Data from Public Transport Victoria shows the V/Line Ballarat service’s punctuality results plunged to 85.3 per cent from 95 per cent the week before the launch.
Chronic overcrowding on the Ballarat line was the result of a decision to remove carriages from that line to add to trains travelling on the Geelong line. Social media has been flooded with complaints of fewer services through Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Rockbank and Deer Park since new timetables were introduced on June 21.
Some commuter trips between Melbourne and Ballarat that previously took little more than one hour have since blown out to an hour and 45 minutes.
Bacchus Marsh resident Bill Mansell last week said his son was continuing to experience delays on his daily commute to Ballarat.
“Every change being made to this rail link is dedicated to the commuters going to Melbourne and they’re not looking after us to go the other way,” Mr Mansell said.
“In the past, the trains used to leave at about 7.20am, but now they have to catch the bus at 7.01am to arrive for school at about 7.20am – or be late. It’s very early for the kids to go to school and workers to arrive for work.
“A petition was lodged with PTV, V/Line and the local MPs, and the response from V/Line is to cancel the train through Bacchus Marsh. They have no idea about what the community’s needs are.”
V/Line’s leadership travelled on the Ballarat service to Southern Cross Station during the morning peak in the rail link’s opening weeks to hear from customers firsthand.
“We know how frustrating it can be when trains are late so we’re doing everything we can to improve the service for our Ballarat line customers,” V/Line spokeswoman Ebony Jordan told Star Weekly.
“We still have some work to do to get our punctuality to the levels that our customers deserve and expect.”
Two carriages have since been added back on to the Ballarat line during peak hours.
“We have new carriages coming out of the Bombardier workshop every two to three weeks and these will go where there is the highest demand,” Ms Jordan said.
“We’ve heard the concerns of our customers and we will make changes swiftly.”
Daily patronage figures are published online to help commuters choose trains with more available capacity.
A review of the regional rail link rollout is not due to start until late August.
Punctuality figures are at www.vline.com.au
