V/Line - articles discussion etc

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Wi-fi on V/Line trains: Concerns mobile black spots will delay rollout

[ozbob]

V/Line News --> Multi-million dollar improvements for Gippsland rail line

The Gippsland rail line is set to undergo a $10.5 million upgrade, with work to get underway in March.

The maintenance package is made up of several key projects and will involve V/Line crews and contractors working around the clock for two weeks.

The Latrobe River rail bridge will be replaced for the first time in its long history.

V/Line Chief Executive Theo Taifalos said the new four-million-dollar bridge would replace the existing timber structure.

"Preliminary work has already been completed and the project will be similar to the new Morwell River Bridge, which we completed in November last year," Mr Taifalos.

"Piling and pre-casting will be done off-site before a crane is brought in to lift the bridge spans into place," he said.

V/Line crews will complete several other maintenance projects at the same time.

"We'll replace sections of track along station platforms at Rosedale, Sale and Bairnsdale, as part of our renewal program," Mr Taifalos said.

"Nine crossings will be upgraded with new tracks and road surfacing while more than 20 other crossings will be inspected, assessed and upgraded as required," he said.

In addition, more than 27,000 timber sleepers will be replaced with concrete along 100 kilometres of track.

"All of this work will mean we can progressively lift several speed restrictions to allow trains to travel at line speeds of up to 100 km/h," Mr Taifalos said.

He said crews would repair the Breed Street Bridge in Traralgon and remove the platform at the former Lindenow Station, which has been sitting idle for years.

The works will take place from Saturday 28 March until Monday 13 April, during Easter school holidays when train patronage is traditionally lower than normal.

Coaches will replace trains between Traralgon and Bairnsdale while the projects are being completed. V/Line thanks customers for their patience and understanding during this period.

For travel updates or for customers with special needs, please call 1800 800 007.

For the latest information visit vline.com.au/gippslandline or follow us on Twitter on @vline_gippsland.

[ozbob]

V Line 'Guilt Trip'

[ozbob]

V/Liner pushes a freight train clear ..

>> http://vicsig.net/photo/19315

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> V/Line and Metro clash over state of tracks on busy Melbourne rail line

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> New train carriages to boost daily regional rail capacity by 1500: Andrews

[ozbob]

Twitter

V/Line ‏@VLine 20m

A new timetable will be introduced across the V/Line network on Sunday 21 June. Info: http://bit.ly/1JfMcZ4

[pandmaster]

The weekday timetable looks pretty good. For Geelong it is disappointing that even off peak the intervals are unusual (e.g.  19 and 21 minutes). Hourly on weekends is pretty poor too.

[ozbob]

Twitter

PTV ‏@ptv_official 7m

Escape the city and experience all that regional #Victoria has to offer with @VLine. http://ow.ly/OqlQZ  http://ow.ly/i/blxUU

[ozbob]

Twitter

V/Line ‏@VLine 7m

The new V/Line timetable starts today, to download a copy go to http://bit.ly/1BrJ2Ap 

[ozbob]

Twitter

V/Line Geelong Line ‏@vline_geelong 3m

A reminder of your Geelong train times this afternoon. To download a PDF timetable visit http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/timetables/geelong.pdf ...

[colinw]

What an odd timetable!

The handful of services stopping at Ardeer in the morning (two inbound from Wyndham Vale, one outbound to Wyndham Vale) make no sense, particularly considering there are no matching afternoon stops at that station.

Even the pattern of services stopping at Deer Park is somewhat erratic.

I dislike this timetable, odd intervals, a perplexing array of different stopping patterns.

[ozbob]

Ardeer and Deer Park are serviced mainly by Ballarat line trains.

> http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/timetables/ballarat.pdf

[ozbob]

Twitter

Daniel Bowen ‏@danielbowen 8 hours ago

Punters at Tarneit this morning told no room left on the 11:27 train to the city. @VLine put on a bus. Only hourly trains--more needed! #RRL

=================

^ this may be football related ..

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Ballarat train commuters suffer after Regional Rail Link opens

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Angry V/Line commuters demand refunds over botched services

The fundamental problem is not enough trains.  I suggested that they fire up the mighty Rs and get cracking!   

[ozbob]

Twitter

Malcolm Turnbull ‏@TurnbullMalcolm 10m

At Sth Geelong station with @SHendersonMP before going to Torquay to inspect the @NBN_Australia rollout.

[#Metro]

Looks like these photos were 'Morse Code'.

-- .- .-.. -.-. --- .-.. -- / - ..- .-. -. -... ..- .-.. .-.. / ... .- -.-- ... / --. . - / -... .-. --- -. .-- -.-- -. / -... .. ... .... --- .--. / --- ..- - ? ?

http://www.news.com.au/national/andrew-bolt-choppergate-getting-dangerous-for-prime-minister-bronwyn-bishop-must-go/story-e6frfkp9-1227461745301

[ozbob]

The Courier (Ballarat) --> Campaign for rail now or wait for years

[ozbob]

http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/carousel/1202431655/Article.aspx

V/Line services will run during Metro industrial action

• During the industrial dispute affecting the Metro network tomorrow, V/Line trains will run.

• V/Line trains won't be stopping at Metro stations between 10am and 2pm.

• All inbound V/Line trains will terminate at Southern Cross Station.

• If you're a V/Line customer and usually board at a Metro station, such as Footscray or Sunshine, you'll need to make your way into Southern Cross using local bus services, trams or Metro bus replacements.

• We will be communicating via social media, announcements, emails and text messages.

• Please remember that the roads, trams and local buses in Melbourne will be busier than normal.

• There may be changes on the day due to operational requirements such as emergency services requests or equipment faults.

• V/Line stations will be staffed as normal.

• Be safe around level crossings. V/Line trains will be running and level crossings warning signals will operate. Don't take a risk. Don't Push Your Crossing Luck.

For the latest up-to-date information follow us on Twitter @vline

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/labor-government-announces-initiatives-to-improve-ballarat-services

Labor Government Announces Initiatives To Improve Ballarat Services

Monday 14 September 2015

Minister for Public Transport

The Andrews Labor Government has announced a series of initiatives to boost performance on the Ballarat line in the wake of significant patronage growth, network changes and service reliability that has not met expectations.

Since May there has been a 14 per cent increase in patronage, with thousands more people choosing to catch services on the Ballarat line. At the same time, there has been a 30 per cent increase in services across the V/Line network, and the opening of the largest public transport infrastructure project in Victoria's history: Regional Rail Link.

The network has struggled with this huge change, particularly on the Ballarat line. The Labor Government recognises this, and is investing the time, energy and funding needed to improve the capacity and reliability of Ballarat services.

Since June, the Labor Government has delivered extra peak hour services and seven new carriages, providing room for more than 800 extra passengers every day. These extra carriages are long overdue, given the previous Liberal Government's failure to order a single carriage for two years.

At the same time, a series of small but important changes has stabilised the performance of Ballarat services. Punctuality ran at 85.4 per cent in August, up slightly from the previous month.

Today The Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, joined local Labor Members Sharon Knight and Geoff Howard to announce next steps in improving travel for Ballarat line passengers.

Construction of a new passing loop at Rowsley will start within weeks, providing another point for trains to pass each other. This will help services recover from unexpected delays more quickly, improving reliability and punctuality.  A new passing loop on the Ballarat line was promised by the previous Liberal Government but never delivered.

Wendouree Station car park will undergo a $2.5 million expansion. The project will add 200 spaces, nearly doubling the capacity of the existing car park.

Minister Allan also provided an update on the progress of the comprehensive timetable review currently being undertaken. The review has identified a range of options to improve the performance of Ballarat line services, including changes to where trains stop, the spacing of services and the way carriages are used across the network.

These options will be developed over the coming months and implemented as part of a new timetable in January next year. Extensive information will be provided to passengers in the coming months, as service details are finalised.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Patronage is booming and the performance of Ballarat services isn't up to scratch. That's why we have added services, added carriages and reviewed the timetable make services more reliable."

"Improvements for Ballarat line passengers will continue over the coming months, with work starting on the new Rowsley passing loop and car park expansion in Wendouree, and a new, more reliable timetable in January.

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard

"The Andrews Labor Government is investing the time, energy and funding we need to deliver the frequent and reliable services our growing community needs."

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

"Ballarat services need to improve – we recognise that. That's why we're doing what the former Government didn't to boost capacity, boost reliability and make it easier to park at the station and catch the train."

[ozbob]

Twitter

Andrew Lund ‏@andrew_lund 3m

V/Line annual report shows the regional operator carried an extra 630,000 passengers last financial year @9NewsMelb

[ozbob]

https://corporate.vline.com.au/About-V-Line/Publications

V/Line's published publications

[Latest annual report will be added here in time]

[ozbob]

http://www.jamespurcell.com.au/media-release-extra-rail-services-are-vital-for-regional-growth/

MEDIA RELEASE: Extra Rail services are vital for regional growth

Western District MP James Purcell told Parliament today that adding rail services between Warrnambool and Melbourne is vital to growth of business and employment in the region.

"South west Victoria is in desperate need of infrastructure upgrades, and the rail service is one of the most urgent," Mr Purcell said.

Other major service centres enjoyed much better service. For example, Shepparton has four daily train services, while Bendigo enjoys hourly services throughout the week.

"We need an efficient rail service to bring people in and out of the area for work and to support the growth of businesses in the region."

Speaking on a Liberal party motion condemning the government for not supporting an additional daily rail service on the Warrnambool to Geelong line, Mr Purcell said good transport was a key to promoting growth.

"Growth regions are characterised by great rail and road services. Western Victoria is suffering on all fronts.

"The desperate state of the roads in western Victoria is widely known. Even VicRoads has recognised that $220 million is required to bring the regions roads up to a standard equivalent to those in the rest of Victoria.

"How are we meant to attract industry and in turn employment to our region when we have pothole ridden roads and antiquated trains and carriages that are 30 years old?"


Mr Purcell has called on the Government to add at least one other service to the Warrnambool line to bring the region in line with other major centres.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> More regional trains passing through stop signals  (VLine)

[ozbob]

October 2015

Performance & capacity V/Line ..

> https://www.vline.com.au/About-V-Line/Performance

[ozbob]

Geelong Advertiser --> Geelong V/Line trains crowded according to snapshot data

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> $18 million rescue package to shine light on V/Line mobile black spots

[ozbob]

V/Line --> Changes to your V/Line train service

V/Line's VLocity fleet is currently experiencing higher than normal wheel wear which is requiring additional maintenance.

This means fewer carriages are available to operate the timetable and in some cases, train services will need to be replaced with coaches.

All information about these changes will be communicated via the traffic light tool on the V/Line website, V/Line Twitter pages and via station announcements.

You can also sign up to the V/Line Inform service to receive SMS and email notifications about your service.

Please click here to find out how you can receive V/Line service updates.

Information will be provided each day to help you plan your journey.
Safety is our number one priority at V/Line. We will never compromise on safety and will continue to complete inspections of carriages and tracks, to ensure services operate safely.

V/Line is working closely with Bombardier to schedule the required maintenance so that carriages can be returned to service as soon as possible.

V/Line, Bombardier and an independent expert from the Institute of Rail Technology are investigating the cause of the issue.

We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding and we'll continue to do everything possible to ensure you experience a safe and comfortable journey.

[ozbob]

The Courier (Ballarat) --> Commuters have had enough

ANOTHER day and another V/Line debacle.

This time, V/Line shouldn't specifically be to blame. They have removed trains due to major safety concerns that have arisen with higher than normal wheel wear. V/Line can only operate with what they are given. Safety should always be the primary concern.

However, what this showcases again is the problems that our train line is suffering and the complete lack of interest the government has taken in providing a proper solution.

This week the first of 50 level crossings in Melbourne set for removal was completed. Billions are being spent on the Metro Rail Project amid a series of other public transport projects planned by the government for Melbourne. Yet Ballarat commuters have faced nothing but poor performance that has left commuters reeling.

The announcement by V/Line was merely another frustrating example of the problems which are continuing to impact on the journey for commuters. The problem is that it is almost expected by commuters.  The ongoing problems have been caused by consecutive governments.

Ballarat is pitched as a booming commuter city, repeatedly mentioned by politicians from both sides of the spectrum as a key city for the future development of the state.

But it is now time for the government to actually stand up and do something. Tell commuters and this community why they should bother to commute from the regions.

Show some light at the end of this dark tunnel which seems to have no final stop.

Each week commuters hear more and more about the changes being done to improve public transport in Melbourne. Yet almost silence on what is being done here.

The start to the year has been nothing short of horrible and even reminiscent of the terrible and failed Regional Rail Link launch in the middle of last year. Just when commuters were starting to see some more positive results (still far below goals which are set) before Christmas, it has all been brought crashing down once again. This has been repeated for the past few years.

To reiterate, V/Line can only operate with what they are given and right now it appears regional public transport is not the government's priority. Right now it seems like they have no interest at all.  It is time for Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to provide us with a long term solution. We have heard the apologies due to the number of delays, and the stories of reviews and plans.   

But the fact of the matter is that the last few years have been a matter of taking the odd step forward and then taking a few more back. Months ago The Courier ran a story listing a number of key projects that could be completed, if the government chose to, that would give commuters that light at the end of the tunnel they deserve.

The future of the line may very well be in the Regional Network Development Plan. A report the Ms Allan has referred to on too many occasions to recall.

Yet the feedback was provided, compiled and handed to government  months ago. If the point of this report (which sounded exceptional at the time) is lost in government spin, like I believe it will be, it will be another loss for the Ballarat commuter.

If it is lost in government with no real tangible improvement on the horizon, this government should not have the right to label Ballarat a commuter city. Because it is has chosen not to support it as one.

The time is now for the government to stand up for the region and give us some answers. Tell us why we should be supporting such an expensive, poorly performing service.
- Matthew Dixon is a journalist with The Courier

[ozbob]

Oh dear ...

Melbourne Age --> Metro bans V/Line trains from city after train fails to trigger boom gates

[ozbob]

Been an ongoing issue with level crossing activation with short trains around Melbourne.  The signalling system and track infrastructure is very poor, again confirmed from observations last week when I was in Melbourne.  If you recall the Stony Point line was closed for a few months because short Sprinters were not activating crossings on approach.

Melbourne needs to forget about $20 billion rail tunnels and sort out what they have got.  It is distressing to see the ramshackle nature of the network compared with the immaculate condition it once was.  Privatisation does not lead to good outcomes. VR was rolled gold compared to the present state.

This latest mess is not really V/Lines fault as such.  Just the result of cumulative neglect for many years ...

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 3 minutes ago Brisbane, Queensland

. @DanielAndrewsMP @JacintaAllanMP Apalling situation for VLine pax, @metrotrains must be directed to fix dodgy network pronto .. #springst

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> V/Line trains banned from Metro network

[ozbob]

Twitter

Marcus Wong ‏@aussiewongm 2h

After hours of waiting around, I finally saw the @vline VLocity transfer depart Southern Cross bound for Dandenong.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Trying week awaits for V/Line commuters hit by Metro ban and carriage shortage

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Victorian rail operators failed to act on boom gates despite warning, report reveals

[ozbob]

Twitter

Lauren Hilbert ‏@laurenhilbert 2m

Vline passengers will get a week of free travel as compensation for recent disruption. @3AW693 #springst

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Boom gate safety issues with V/Line VLocity trains known for more than two years

[red dragin]

Link gathered from another forum, showing images of the flange and rail wear 

https://mtmmemes.wordpress.com