Performance data for February showed the north-east line again failed to meet the 92 per cent punctuality target with only 7.8 per cent of trains running on time.
Regional Public Transport shadow minister and State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan said the community had been rocked by the tragic derailment at Wallan, but the most recent data showed V/Line’s woes extended beyond that incident.
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“While the Albury/Wodonga service continues to underperform, the government still remains silent on the roll-out date for new V/Locity trains which have been in the design process since October 2017,” Ms Ryan said.
“The Andrews Government cannot wash its hands of the performance issues affecting the track.
“The former Brumby Labor Government leased to the Australian Rail Track Corporation, but the Victorian Government is still the ultimate owner.
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“While the Federal Government has at least recognised the poor state of the service by tipping an extra $235 million into improving the track, the Andrews Government has not invested a cent in either new rolling stock or track improvements.
“Labor has been in power for five years now and the performance of V/Line trains over that time has gotten worse, not better.”
Ms Ryan said four of V/Line’s six long-distance services failed to meet punctuality targets.
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“Ripping $149 million from V/Line’s budget has clearly impacted on regional lines, which are constantly failing to meet punctuality targets,” Ms Ryan said.
V/Line’s reliability target is for at least 96 per cent of scheduled services to run.
Meanwhile, 92 per cent of services must arrive on time - within six minutes for short distance services and within 11 minutes for long distance services - to meet punctuality targets.
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