Article: Connex faces $5m fine for disastrous January performance

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Connex faces $5m fine for disastrous January performance

Connex faces $5m fine for disastrous January performance

Article from: Herald Sun

Ashley Gardiner and Geraldine Mitchell

February 06, 2009 12:00am

CONNEX is set to cop its highest monthly penalty of more than $5 million for its disastrous performance in January.

An unprecedented 2379 train services were cancelled last month.

The Lilydale line was the worst hit, with 271 cancellations, followed by Sandringham (253), Frankston (194) and Craigieburn (170).

In January, 4.3 per cent of services were cancelled, well above the trigger level for customer compensation.

At the same time, 9.1 per cent of trains, about 5000 services, were late.

Connex will compensate holders of yearly, monthly and weekly tickets used in January with a free daily fare.

Spokesman John Rees said yesterday that maintenance crews' quick response and the temperature fall had seen cancellations stabilise.

"It is resulting in a better-performing network this week, although we still have not fully recovered," he said.

The figures came as Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said documents showed track maintenance was behind schedule.

"It's the proof of what's been going on with the metropolitan rail network, complete utter and total neglect," he said.

The documents were provided to the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee last year.

Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said maintenance funds would rise from $80 million to $120 million from next year