Article: V/Line cracking under passenger overload

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V/Line cracking under passenger overload

V/Line cracking under passenger overload
Article from: Herald Sun

Geraldine Mitchell

January 08, 2009 12:00am

FRUSTRATED rail commuters could have claimed up to $10 million in compensation because V/Line trains failed to run on time last year.

The regional rail service is cracking under the pressure of patronage growth.

A record 12.9 million trips were taken across the network last year, up 17 per cent.

The latest rise follows patronage growth of 23 per cent in 2006/07 and 29 per cent in 2005/06, the biggest in more than 50 years

And government figures recording V/Line's failure to meet punctuality targets show the pressure on the system is taking its toll.

Trains ran late on the Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, Seymour and Traralgon lines every month to September last year - leaving commuters eligible for free tickets.

But only passengers who carry a monthly or periodical ticket can claim a free return trip, valued at up to $40 each.

Figures show V/Line only paid $67,140 in compensation to July last year because the majority of affected commuters failed to make a claim.

To claim compensation, commuters must write to V/Line and show proof of travel with a valid V/Line ticket before it will be considered.

An analysis of patronage figures shows the Brumby Government could have been forced to hand out $10 million in free tickets if V/Line commuters had used monthly tickets and made claims.

V/Line spokesman Daniel Moloney said commuters were entitled to compensation and information posted at stations and on its website encouraged them to claim it.

However, he said periodical tickets already offered an incentive of cheaper fares.

"When you buy a ticket of 10 weeks or more, you're already getting some free travel," he said.

But Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the compensation regime was designed to force private operators to improve reliability and punctuality.

"V/Line is now owned lock, stock and barrel by the Brumby Government," he said.

"There is no incentive for V/Line to improve the time-keeping of its trains."

Mr Moloney admitted the network faced major challenges as patronage kept rising on all of its lines.

He said it was vital the Federal Government helped to fund major infrastructure projects, flagged in the Victorian Transport Plan, to help accommodate extra passengers.

The latest figures show the Geelong line is the busiest, recording 3.4 million trips last year, up 16 per cent; this was followed by 3.2 million on the Bendigo line, up 20 per cent, and 2.8 million on the Ballarat line, up 22 per cent.

FREE TICKETS HERE

You are eligible for compensation of a free ticket if V/Line service falls below the threshold

This occurred on all V/Line lines in January and March 2008, and on selected lines in February, April, May, June, July, August and September

To get compensation you must provide your valid monthly (or longer) V/Line ticket for that travel period

Write to:
Customer Relations
Reply Paid 5343
Melbourne Vic 3001

V/LINE PERFORMANCE IN 2008

January - compensation payable on all lines

February - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Albury/Wodonga, Bairnsdale/Sale, Swan Hill/Echuca lines

March - compensation payable on all lines

April - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Ararat, Bairnsdale / Sale, Swan Hill / Echuca, Shepparton and Warrnambool lines

May - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Ararat, Bairnsdale / Sale, Swan Hill/Echuca, Warrnambool lines

June - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Bairnsdale / Sale, Swan Hill / Echuca, Shepparton, Warrnambool lines

July - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Bairnsdale/Sale, Swan Hill/Echuca, Shepparton, Warrnambool lines

August - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Bairnsdale/Sale, Swan Hill/Echuca, Shepparton, Warrnambool

September - compensation payable on Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour, Traralgon, Bairnsdale/Sale, Swan Hill/Echuca, Shepparton, Warrnambool lines