Melbourne - public transport performance results

[ozbob]

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/2020/01/20/december-2019-public-transport-performance-results-published/

December 2019 public transport performance results published

The Department of Transport today published public transport performance results for December 2019.

Metro Trains recorded punctuality of 90.8 per cent, and reliability of 98.2 per cent
Yarra Trams recorded punctuality of 82.8 per cent, and reliability of 97.2 per cent
V/Line recorded punctuality of 85.0 per cent, and reliability of 90.7 per cent

December saw the successful delivery of more than 540 extra metropolitan train services on New Year's Eve, safely transporting hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to and from the heart of the city to welcome in the new decade.

Metro Trains' real-time temperature monitoring kept trains moving during extreme heat and helped reduce the impact of cancelled services, when temperatures reached 44 degrees on 20 December.

Delays caused by people illegally entering tracks also increased in December with both factors contributing to Metro Trains falling short of both their monthly punctuality and reliability targets.

At 98.2 per cent, Metro trains were 0.1 per cent lower than November's reliability result, and with 90.8 per cent were 0.7 per cent lower than November's punctuality result.

Department of Transport Head of Transport Services Jeroen Weimar said even during busy months with significant external challenges, it was crucial operators worked to meet their performance targets.

"Metro Trains was faced with many challenges in December but we're still looking for them to improve their performance to ensure our passengers get the reliable service they deserve," Mr Weimar said.

At 82.8 per cent, punctuality on the tram network was up 3.2 per cent on the previous month – and above Yarra Tram's monthly target.  The December result of 97.2 per cent for reliability was below the expected threshold, meaning eligible passengers can apply to Yarra Trams for compensation.

Factors impacting performance on the tram network last month included four hours of industrial action on 5 December, damage caused by heat to overheads at Clifton Hill Station and numerous bridge strikes along Racecourse Road at the Flemington and Newmarket rail bridges.

"It's incredibly frustrating to see that tram overhead and rail bridges are continually being struck by oversized vehicles," said Mr Weimar. "It is the responsibility of drivers to know the height of their vehicle and plan their journey accordingly to prevent avoidable disruptions on our roads and public transport network."

A height clearance map for Victoria is on the VicRoads website for all drivers, particularly those driving in unfamiliar places or rental trucks to check the height of bridges along their route.

On the regional network, V/Line fell short of both their reliability and punctuality targets for the month of December as a result of extreme weather and protected industrial action, which V/Line was largely able to manage through coach replacements, to ensure passengers could continue with their travel plans.

"December saw our regional passengers significantly impacted by speed restrictions as a result of the extreme heat and protected industrial action by staff affecting all lines," Mr Weimar said.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Metro and Yarra Trams recorded worst annual results in years after overcrowding delayed services

Tough new contracts introduced in 2017 were supposed to ensure more reliable services for commuters, but both Metro Trains and Yarra Trams suffered a surge of late and cancelled services in 2019. So what's causing our public transport woes?

Overcrowded trains and trams have created havoc on Melbourne's railway network as late and cancelled services surge across the city.

Major shutdowns, union disputes and surging passenger numbers all led to a backslide in results for Metro Trains and Yarra Trams in 2019.

Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston and Craigieburn were the worst performing train lines, while route 70, 86 and 48 trams had the highest percentage of late services.

It comes as new figures obtained by the Herald Sun show overcrowding is sparking timetable frustration across the city's southeast.

Tough new contracts first introduced in 2017 were touted as a major step to ensure more reliable services for commuters.

But the city's train operator failed its punctuality target for every month of 2019 as 70,060 trains ran late and 10,149 were cancelled.

The result meant the company missed $13.56 million in payments between January and November.

More than 785,000 Yarra Trams services ran late and the light rail operator and missed out on $487,888 over the same period.

New data shows delays caused by passenger congestion last year soared by 30 per cent on the Frankston line and 10 per cent on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

This was partly driven by a major shutdown for Metro Tunnel works which funnelled commuters onto other train lines already at capacity.

Metro chief executive Raymond O'Flaherty said extreme weather, trespassers and movements around platforms also played a role.

"With Melbourne's population booming and more people choosing to catch the train, we are experiencing unprecedented demand on our network," he said.

"We're operating the network of today, while the Victorian Government builds the network of tomorrow."

Authorities are still yet to reveal a new timetable that was originally slated to be released last year.

Cranbourne line commuter Jon Diplaris, 24 said the late services affected his business.

"You don't account for it," he said.

"It comes at a cost, especially when you are running a company."

Melbourne's worst performing tram lines were along routes that shared the road with motorists, with traffic jams slowing down services along key corridors.

A Yarra Trams spokesman said services were changed in real-time "to provide maximum service levels for passengers".

Sonia Qumar, 27, takes route 70 trams to work and said she regularly faced the "difficulty" of late services.

"Most of the time I have to face this difficulty," she said.

"You just keep on standing at tram stop, just waiting for your tram," she said.

"It takes me 57 minutes from my place ... but I always plan (an extra) half an hour in case a tram never comes or a tram is running late."

A Department of Transport spokesman said the Melbourne Metro Tunnel and level crossing removals would help improve reliability.

"Every day we work with our public transport operators to ensure they deliver improved results, meet targets and provide a service that our passengers need and deserve."

A spokeswoman for the Andrews Government said the tougher penalties and more investment in public transport would improve service reliability.

"Industrial action is completely unnecessary and unfairly impacts our passengers – all parties need to get in front of the Fair Work Commission and resolve this dispute as soon as possible, it's gone on long enough," the spokeswoman said.

LATE TRAINS

Cranbourne – 5509 late trains (14.6 per cent)

Pakenham – 6786 late trains (13.7 per cent)

Frankston – 8721 late trains (13.2 per cent)

Craigieburn – 5872 late trains (12.2 per cent)

Werribee – 7105 late trains (11.4 per cent)

Belgrave - 4240 late trains (11.3 per cent)

Sunbury - 5213 late trains (11.2 per cent)

Stony Point - 548 late trains (10.3 per cent)

Lilydale - 5856 late trains (10 per cent)

Upfield - 2984 late trains (8.1 per cent)

Mernda - 3614 late trains (7.4 per cent)

Alamein - 3091 late trains (7 per cent)

Hurstbridge - 3835 late trains (6.9 per cent)

Williamstown - 2452 late trains (6.4 per cent)

Sandringham - 2711 late trains (5.4 per cent)

Glen Waverley - 1973 late trains (4.2 per cent)

LATE TRAMS

Route 70 – 51,041 late trams (26.9 per cent)

Route 86 – 59,458 late trams (24.5 per cent)

Route 48 – 41,949 late trams (21.5 per cent)

Route 75 – 41,912 late trams (21.4 per cent)

Route 16 – 38,996 late trams (20.3 per cent)

Worst-performing tram and train lines in 2019, ranked by portion of timetable affected

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