- Published:
- Thursday 10 November 2016
On time performance on the Ballarat corridor has improved again and is now at its highest level since May 2015.
Monthly performance figures published today show 93.3 per cent of services arrived on time in October, up from 91.6 per cent in September, and 5.7 per cent higher than the 12-month average of 87.6 per cent.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan welcomed the result, which continues a positive trend in punctuality since the timetable adjustment earlier in the year, and the completion of the Rowsley Crossing Loop.
The Ballarat line is one of V/Line’s busiest, and it’s getting busier. Since the opening of the Regional Rail Link project in June last year, patronage on the Ballarat corridor has jumped 12.8 per cent.
Now almost a quarter of all V/Line trips across Victoria are taken on the Ballarat corridor, with more than 375,000 passenger trips in October alone.
To cater for this growth, the Andrews Labor Government has ordered 48 new regional carriages and, as announced earlier this week, the first six have been added to busy Ballarat line services.
The extra carriages will double the number of seats on four busy peak services, reducing crowding and creating a more comfortable ride for thousands of passengers.
The Labor Government is also getting on with its $518 million upgrade to the Ballarat corridor, which will support more frequent, reliable services through Melbourne’s west and communities along the Ballarat line.
The investments are desperately needed after years of complete inaction under the former Liberal and National Government, who didn’t order a single regional carriage in two years and didn’t start any major public transport projects.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“This is good news for passengers. There’s more work to do but today’s results show we’re on the right track.”
“Services are getting more reliable, more carriages are coming into service, and our $518 million upgrade is yet to come. We’re delivering the trains, tracks and services Ballarat passengers need to get home safer and sooner.”
Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard
“This is another positive result and another encouraging sign that our plan to improve the performance of Ballarat services is working.”
Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight
“We’re working hard to keep this trend going – delivering the upgrades the Ballarat line needs to continue improving services for local passengers.”