V/Line - articles discussion etc

[ozbob]

The Courier --> Trains remain packed

Frustrated commuters remain concerned Ballarat's V/Line service is failing to cater for the commuters, after a peak hour service was left with only three carriages on Wednesday.

The Courier was contacted by a number of disgruntled commuters who said they were squashed into three carriages during the 17.51pm service from Southern Cross to Ballarat.  They believe this example is symptomatic of a greater problem.

V/Line spokeswoman Catalina Filip said the the service was planned to operate as a six-carriage V/Locity, but a fault had caused three carriages to be withdrawn.

"This carriage set had to be taken out of service for inspections and repairs and could not be used on the 17:51 train to Wendouree as scheduled.  The service is expected to operate with six carriages this evening," Ms Filip said.

Ms Filip said  Ballarat line has seen a significant patronage increase in the last 12 months, with 329,000 customer trips taken on the Ballarat line in July, which is approximately 10,600 customers each day.

Ballarat Public Transport User Association convener Ben Lever said unexpected faults do happen from time to time, but said the problem highlighted the lack of trains on the network.

"V/Line's capacity data shows that this train is normally a six-carriage train, and on average it's 78 per cent full - so with only three carriages, commuters would be packed in like sardines," Mr Lever said.

"The issue is that we just don't have enough trains to go around. So when a fault occurs in one train, there aren't any spare trains to replace it - V/Line's fleet is stretched to the limit.

"This kind of overcrowding on V/Line services is an ongoing issue.

"We've seen some great investment lately, but it's important for both sides of politics to ensure a continuous pipeline of investment."

Commuter Ian Menzies, a commuter for 10 years, said the overcrowding was the worst he had ever experienced.

"I pay a lot for V/Line's questionable work practices. It's an absolute disgrace," Mr Menzies said.

The Victorian Government has ordered 27 new VLocity carriages as part of the 2016-17 State Budget. This is in addition to the 21 carriages ordered in 2015.

The delivery of these carriages is expected to start later this year and will be allocated on services where there is the highest demand.

Currently all of the available fleet is being used, but V/Line said it would continue to monitor patronage levels.

[ozbob]

https://www.vline.com.au/Escape-with-V-Line/Preview-Event-Destination-Details?id=105

Special offer

V/Line is offering customers a Special Event ticket for the 2016 Royal Melbourne Show. 17 Sep - 27 Sep 2016

V/Line customers with tickets for the 2016 Royal Melbourne Show are entitled to travel Economy OFF PEAK return for just $15.00 from any V/Line location in Victoria. To get the special fare customers must travel with a V/Net ticket and cannot use their myki.

The Special Event fare also includes free metropolitan travel on trains, trams and buses to get to and from the Show.

To take advantage of this special offer, you must present a valid 2016 Royal Melbourne Show admission ticket when purchasing your V/Line ticket. 2016 Royal Melbourne Show admission tickets printed from the internet are also eligible for the V/Line Special Event ticket. Only printed online tickets with a barcode detailed are valid Show tickets.

Remember, you'll need to carry both your V/Line Special Event ticket and the Royal Melbourne Show admission ticket when travelling.

Royal Melbourne Show admission tickets can be purchased at the following outlets from 7 September:

    Woolworths supermarkets
    Premium Metro stations

Additional Info

    Valid off peak times only (including Weekends & Public Holidays). Not available for travel Monday – Friday on services arriving in Melbourne before 09:00 and departing Melbourne between 16:00 and 18:00.
    Valid for same day return within the myki boundary
    Valid for next day return for long distance services. All travel must be completed by Wednesday 28 September 2016.
    Valid for economy travel only
    Valid for travel 17 September – 27 September 2016 inclusive
    The V/Line Special Event ticket fares will operate under the same conditions as the off peak ticket:-
        A break in journey is not permitted
        Included travel: Free travel is available on metropolitan trains, trams and buses and on town buses in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Moe, Morwell and Traralgon. The ticket is valid for a full day's travel at no extra charge. Travel must be taken on the date, and within the metropolitan and/or regional zones printed on the ticket.
    Royal Melbourne Show admission tickets printed from the internet will also be accepted as a valid admission ticket and therefore also eligible for the V/Line Special Event ticket.
    Customers need to carry both their V/Line Special Event ticket and the Royal Melbourne Show admission ticket when travelling.
    The special fare is not available for myki.
    V/Line Special Show ticket is NOT available for purchase on trains from conductors.
    Reservations are required on services to and from Warrnambool, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Albury and Bairnsdale.
    Reservations are required for travel on the Overlander, NSW Trainlink and the overnight Mildura coach service.
    Reservations are required on many other coach services and customers should check their timetable prior to purchasing tickets.
    V/Line tickets are only refundable up until the day prior to travel.
    The V/Line Special Event ticket cannot be combined with existing V/Line fares (ie. Family Traveller ticket)
    This is a special fare and does not relate to any existing V/Line fares
    The ticket is non transferable"

[#Metro]

Ms Filip said  Ballarat line has seen a significant patronage increase in the last 12 months, with 329,000 customer trips taken on the Ballarat line in July, which is approximately 10,600 customers each day.

Regional Rapid Rail seems to be working!

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> New rail plan calls for 200km/h trains and 'fast line' to Melbourne Airport

The Melbourne to Geelong train trip would be cut from an hour to 35 minutes and a new "fast line" would link the CBD with the airport, under an ambitious 25-year plan calling for major investment in Victoria's regional rail system.

The "Intercity" report calls for the introduction of new regional trains able to travel at 200 kilometres per hour, and rail upgrades that would allow this high-speed operation "where achievable".

A revamped regional rail network would help ease the burden on Melbourne from its massive population growth, by encouraging more Victorians to live in regional cities, it says.

The plan, prepared by the Rail Futures Institute and to be launched on Monday by former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer, says a better regional rail network would allow thousands more country residents to commute to Melbourne for work, while enabling more Melburnians to travel to jobs in regional cities. It says Victoria should aim for a regional population of at least three million by mid-century.

[Stillwater]

In Queensland it is sufficient for the government to have an 'aspiration' of train journeys to the two Coasts in 'about an hour', even if you don't have any plan to achieve it, no initiative to raise and apply the money, no business plan preparation, no appointment of a 'regional rail development authority' ..... nothing.  Yet, just as is the case in Victoria, there is a need for decentralisation in the SEQ region.  Rapid rail would do the heavy lifting there.  Nah, let's just 10-lane to M! to the Gold Coast and put in six and eight lanes to the Sunshine Coast.  That way, the feds will pay the majority of the cost, so the argument goes.  Besides, we want to hit the feds for a contribution to CRR.

[ozbob]

Yep ..

Gold Coast - Regional Rapid Rail link discussion > https://t.co/Mm8IVR2RI1 #qldpol
Vic proposes similar, big news. QLD run for cover ...

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) September 5, 2016

[#Metro]

In Queensland it is sufficient for the government to have an 'aspiration' of train journeys to the two Coasts in 'about an hour', even if you don't have any plan to achieve it, no initiative to raise and apply the money, no business plan preparation, no appointment of a 'regional rail development authority' ..... nothing.  Yet, just as is the case in Victoria, there is a need for decentralisation in the SEQ region.  Rapid rail would do the heavy lifting there.  Nah, let's just 10-lane to M! to the Gold Coast and put in six and eight lanes to the Sunshine Coast.  That way, the feds will pay the majority of the cost, so the argument goes.  Besides, we want to hit the feds for a contribution to CRR.

It is achievable for Logan and the Gold Coast. Will be a question of speed - 160 km or spend a little more and get 200 km/hr. Tilts could be used also.

[SurfRail]

200kph isn't especially worth it, not with the station spacing we need to serve.  Frankly even tilts and 160kph isn't that important. 

The most important thing is to build a line that is more or less direct and which is capable of supporting 140kph operation over its entire length up to about Greenslopes.  At that point, you will end up in a tunnel with a sharper curve than south of there in order to slot into the Boggo Road tunnel stubs.  South of Robina will probably see line speeds a bit lower due to the geometry in places.

The NGRs and whatever we build next will be able to serve that route just fine, and the NGRs are being built to accommodate being expanded to 9-car operation without much hassle other than the need to build the extra cars and reconfigure the trains once they get here.

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-and-improving-vline-for-regional-passengers/

Protecting And Improving V/Line For Regional Passengers

Minister for Public Transport 12 October 2016

The Andrews Labor Government is strengthening public ownership of V/Line, to protect it from any future attempts by the Liberal and National Party to privatise it and run it in to the ground.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today introduced legislation to transfer V/Line's operations from V/Line Pty Ltd to the publicly owned V/Line Corporation.

This will make it harder for a future Liberal-National Government to do what they did in the past – privatise the regional operator.

The Kennett Government's disastrous privatisation of V/Line hurt regional passengers and fell apart within a few years, when regional services were handed back to the government.

The Bracks and Brumby Labor Governments rebuilt the regional operator, expanded services and invested billions in major rail infrastructure projects to improve V/Line, including Regional Fast Rail and Regional Rail Link.

The previous Liberal-National Government then came to power and services and investment went backwards again.

They didn't order a single regional carriage for two years, ripped $120 million out of the regional operator and had a secret plan to sack more than 100 staff, which the Labor Government stopped when it came to office. They also had their own secret plan to privatise V/line.

In just two years the Andrews Labor Government has restored and increased funding to V/Line, ordered 48 new regional carriages, and added more than 340 extra V/Line services, with 170 more to be added next year.

The Transport Integration Amendment (Head, Transport for Victoria and Other Governance Reforms) Bill introduced today also establishes Transport for Victoria (TfV).

TfV is a new overarching transport agency that will coordinate Victoria's road and public transport system and plan for its future.

It will bring together the planning, management and coordination of Victoria's transport system, including VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria, and provide a single source of information for motorists and passengers.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"This will help protect V/Line from any future Liberal and National Party attempts to privatise the regional operator and run services into the ground."

"The former Liberal and National Government ripped $120 million out of the V/Line, didn't order any new carriages for two years and had plans to sack staff and privatise services."

"We've restored and increased V/Line's funding, and invested more than $1.3 billion in better regional public transport to get people home safer and sooner, every day."

[#Metro]

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today introduced legislation to transfer V/Line's operations from V/Line Pty Ltd to the publicly owned V/Line Corporation.

Um, the Andrews Red Team Gov't just completed a massive privatisation of ports etc?

Metro is a private contractor?

Every opportunity to let Metro's contract lapse and return to public has been turned down, contracts always renewed. Even under red team.

Why is it different for V/Line?

And how does transferring operations from one company to another company do anything?  :conf

And my understanding is that Victorian rail infrastructure is all publicly owned by VicTrack
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VicTrack

Red Team does not have a consistent position. It is almost like reverse buyers remorse - they hate the idea, do it anyway, and then after the fact reaffirm that they hate the idea.  :conf

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/work-on-an-extra-train-for-the-north-east-line-begins/

Work On An Extra Train For The North East Line Begins

Minister for Public Transport 17 October 2016

The Andrews Labor Government is building a fourth train for the Albury line, to boost the reliability of services while it plans for the next generation of rolling stock for passengers in Victoria's north east.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes at the Downer Rail workshop in Melbourne today, where V/Line has started reconfiguring existing carriages to create a fourth train.

Currently, three five-carriage trains operate on the Albury line. This is the minimum required to run the three return services to Albury each day and means that if a train has to be pulled out of service, the only option is to put passengers on coaches.

The extra train will mean there is one in reserve if anything unexpected happens – boosting reliability for passengers.

On average there are around 330 seats per train and currently an average of 200 seats available on Albury-line services, so the reduction of carriages on each train will not affect the ability of passengers to get a seat.

The reconfiguration work currently underway will take a carriage off each of the three existing trains and add a new one to create four four-carriage trains.

V/Line has also already sourced and begun refurbishing a power van for the fourth train, which acts like a power supply generator for the fourth train, so it can have lighting, heating and cooling.

The significant upgrade is part of $15 million provided by the Labor Government in the Victorian Budget 2016-17.

The investment will also clean and repair the interior of the existing carriages, to make them more comfortable for passengers, and fund planning for the next generation of trains for the north east line.

The reconfigured trains will start service in the first half of 2017.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're building a fourth train for the Albury line to boost reliability and it's great to see work underway."

"Reconfiguring the carriages will improve services for local passengers while we plan for next generation trains for the north east line."

Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

"I am looking forward to the introduction of the extra train to the North-East line that will deliver much needed improvements to the service and comfort for commuters."

"We've sourced the power van, work has started on the carriage refurbishment, and next year the new train will be in service – we're getting it done."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/appointment-of-new-vline-ceo/

Appointment Of New V/Line CEO

Minister for Public Transport 21 October 2016

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and V/Line Board Chair Jenny Dawson today announced the appointment of James Pinder as Chief Executive Officer of V/Line.

Mr Pinder has more than 32 years' experience in the rail industry, including as General Manager Rolling Stock at Metro Trains Melbourne and Fleet Manager at Southern Railway in the UK.

He has also worked with Downer EDI in New South Wales, and for the last nine months he has worked as a consultant on the Crossrail project in London.

Mr Pinder, who will officially take on his new role on 28 November, will lead a team of more than 1,600 employees delivering nearly 3,000 train and coach services to regional Victorians each week.

His appointment comes at a time of significant growth in the regional network. More than 340 extra services were added last year with the completion of the Regional Rail Link project, and 170 more services will begin next year.

Major projects like the $518 million Ballarat line upgrade, and the ongoing delivery of 48 new regional carriages will enable further growth in services as more regional Victorians use public transport.

Acting V/Line CEO Gary Liddle will wrap up on Friday 28 October. Chief Operating Officer Carol-Anne Nelson will act in the role from 29 October to 27 November.

Mr Liddle has played an integral part in strengthening V/Line, so it can deliver the regional services passengers expect and deserve.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Mr Pinder's skills and experience will be invaluable as we expand the regional network, and deliver better infrastructure and services for regional passengers."

"I congratulate Mr Pinder on his appointment, and thank interim CEO Gary Liddle for his leadership throughout his time in the role."

Quotes attributable to Chair of the V/Line Board Jenny Dawson

"Mr Pinder is the right person to lead V/Line during this time of growth and investment in the organisation, and regional services."

"I thank Gary Liddle for his tremendous service to V/Line and regional passengers over the last nine months, and wish him well for the future."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/46-million-in-critical-regional-rail-works-complete/

$46 Million In Critical Regional Rail Works Complete

Minister for Public Transport 2 November 2016

Major maintenance and renewal works on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines are complete, and trains are now back up and running.

Over the past four weeks, more than 1500 V/Line staff and contractors worked around-the-clock upgrading track, strengthening bridges and removing mud holes to keep services safe and reliable.

Construction crews replaced nearly 40,000 sleepers and 25,000 tonnes of ballast between Sunbury to Swan Hill.

Nine rail bridges were also strengthened, including installation of a new deck on the Taradale viaduct, and waterproofing work on the Malmsbury viaduct and Forest Creek bridge in Castlemaine.

Other work included repairing the roof at Woodend Station, removing mud holes between Eaglehawk and Dingee, signalling works on the Bendigo line and upgrades to the pedestrian subway at Macedon Station.

The V/Line works were scheduled at the same time as level crossing removal works in St Albans to reduce disruption to passengers. A delay in works on the St Albans project due to unusually wet and windy weather caused a one-day delay in the return of V/Line services.

The works would have taken more than four years if carried out during weekend closures, making a mockery of Liberal calls to split the works up instead of delivering them in a single construction blitz.

The $46 million maintenance and renewal package is part of $1.3 billion the Andrews Labor Government provided in the Victorian Budget 2016/17 to improve regional public transport, including more than more than 170 new services, 27 new VLocity carriages and $198 million to rebuild the capacity of V/Line.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"The biggest package of V/Line works since Labor's $3.65 billion Regional Rail Link is now complete and trains are back up and running on the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines."

"I thank passengers for their patience over the past four weeks, while we worked around-the-clock to repair and improve the train line that so many passengers rely on to get to work and home again at the end of the day."

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

"The $46 million worth of maintenance and renewal has upgraded track, replaced sleepers and strengthened bridges over hundreds of kilometres – critical work that will keep services safe and reliable for local passengers."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas

"We're investing in new trains, extra services and the nuts and bolts maintenance work our network needs, so passengers get the services they deserve."

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

"I know it has been disruptive over the past four weeks but the benefits of this significant investment will last decades, ensuring people in northern Victoria continue to have safe, reliable services to them where they need to be."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/ballarat-line-upgrade-to-be-delivered-by-australias-best/

Ballarat Line Upgrade To Be Delivered By Australia's Best

Minister for Public Transport 9 November 2016

The Authority overseeing Australia's biggest public transport project – the Metro Tunnel – will now also deliver the Andrews Labor Government's transformation of the Ballarat line.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced today that a dedicated project team within Melbourne Metro Rail Authority (MMRA) will officially oversee the $518 million Ballarat Line Upgrade.

MMRA has some of Australia's most experienced rail experts and is perfectly placed to deliver the upgrade, which includes duplication of the line between Deer Park and Melton to run to more frequent and reliable services to Melbourne's outer western suburbs, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Ballarat.

MMRA is also well placed to deliver the project as the Metro Tunnel and duplication from Deer Park will enable future electrification of the line to Melton – creating a brand new metropolitan train line into the city.

Currently, there is no space on the metropolitan network to run more trains. The Metro Tunnel will create space in the city loop to run more services more often, and a duplicated line will allow for extra services from Deer Park to Melton.

Together, these projects will make electrification to Melton possible, which is why the same expert body – Melbourne Metro Rail Authority – will deliver them both.

The Labor Government's Ballarat Line Upgrade will also duplicate a three kilometre section of single track west of Warrenheip, build new crossing loops and create new train stabling to support more frequent, reliable services through Melbourne's west and communities along the Ballarat line.

The upgrade will also build second platforms at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan stations, and the existing platforms at Rockbank Station will be extended so passengers can use each carriage to get on or off the train.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Melbourne Metro Rail Authority is delivering the biggest public transport project in Melbourne, and it will now deliver the biggest project in regional Victoria as well."

"You can't electrify to Melton and run more services to the western suburbs and regions without building the Metro Tunnel and duplicating the line – that's why we're not wasting a minute and getting it done."

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard

"MMRA has the experience and expertise to deliver these projects and more frequent, reliable trains to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan and Ballarat."

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

"This is wonderful news for the Ballarat Line Upgrade, which will deliver more frequent, reliable trains – building on the new carriages and services we've already delivered for Ballarat commuters."

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/punctuality-on-the-ballarat-line-improves-again/

Punctuality On The Ballarat Line Improves Again

Minister for Public Transport 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."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> V/Line trains suspended after another boom gate failure on country rail line

More serious problems have emerged for country rail operator V/Line, which has suddenly shut down all train services on the Warrnambool line due to dangerous boom gate failures and the poor state of the tracks.

A passenger train passed through two level crossings on Tuesday and the boom gates failed to lower in time. The safety breach occurred while the locomotive-hauled train was travelling between Camperdown and Terang.

Trains will be suspended for at least the next four days, possibly longer, forcing passengers travelling to and from the state's south-west coast onto buses.

The incident again calls into question the safety of the V/Line rail network, which has experienced multiple level crossing failures of this type, including on the Traralgon line in January.

That incident prompted Metro to ban all V/Line trains from using metropolitan rail lines until the issue was fixed.

Boom gate failures have also caused extended shutdowns of the Bairnsdale and Stony Point lines in recent years, forcing costly rectification work before trains could return to service.

The Age has contacted V/Line for comment.     

Level crossing safety fears are also behind a string of heavy speed restrictions that have been slapped on trains between Geelong and Warrnambool since October 12.

As of this week there were 29 country crossings on the line where train drivers have been instructed to slow down, to as low as 40km/h in the worst cases.

This is due to "inadequate sighting distance" and "line of sight problems" at the affected crossings.

Warrnambool line trains ordinarily run at speeds of up to 115km/h, however concerns among train drivers about poor track condition led to this being reduced to 100 km/h. 

Track faults and safety concerns at rural level crossings have played havoc with Warrnambool line services in recent weeks and passengers have endured chronic late-running trains before this latest incident.

Just 61 per cent of trains ran on time in October, easily the worst performance of any V/Line rail line in recent months, marking a return to poor service levels not seen since summer when V/Line suffered a severe train shortage caused by unexpected wheel wear problems.

The wheel wear, which only affected VLocity​ trains, plunged V/Line into meltdown on most of its busiest lines, and led to the resignation of its chief executive Theo Taifalos​ under intense political pressure from the Andrews government.

The Opposition called on the government to clarify whether locomotive-hauled trains would be suspended from other lines they service as a safety precaution, with public transport spokesman David Hodgett saying "level crossing safety should be a given".

"Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan need to urgently explain whether all V/Line long distance locomotive hauled trains to Warrnambool, Albury, Bairnsdale and Swan Hill will be immediately withdrawn, what the cause of this potentially very dangerous incidents was and why Mr Andrews and Ms Allan have stayed silent," Mr Hodgett said.

It is not the first safety problem on the Warrnambool line this year.

A V/Line train carrying almost 100 passengers collided with a truck at the unprotected Phalps Road level crossing in July, which had been earmarked for an upgrade. No one was killed but the truck driver, the train driver, a conductor and 16 passengers were injured in the smash.

I was planning to go to Warrnambool in January by rail.   Oh dear ...

[ozbob]

V/Line October 2016 performance

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

[ozbob]

V/Line --> New timetable starts on 29 January

V/Line will introduce 80 new weekly train services across the network as part of a new timetable from Sunday 29 January 2017.

Customers will have more choice with new off-peak services on the Maryborough, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Gippsland lines.

The new Caroline Springs Station will officially open at the same time, with 288 trains stopping at the station each week.

Maryborough will get an extra return service each weekday, and a Seymour service will be extended to Shepparton in the afternoon during the week.

A fourth return train service will be introduced on the Warrnambool each weekday, and an extra return on Sundays.

Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland customers will benefit from extra evening weekday services, giving you more choice about when you travel.

An additional train for Wyndham Vale and Tarneit customers will be introduced each weekday morning, boosting services for customers at V/Line's newest stations.

Trains will be extended or have altered stopping patterns to increase services to some stations, and some town bus and regional coach timetables will be adjusted to better connect with train services.
Some services will depart earlier or later so please check times before you travel to find a service that suits your needs.

The new V/Line train and coach timetables will be available for download from this website from Monday 28 November.

The Plan a journey tool will be live and printed timetables will be available at staffed V/Line stations, premium Metro stations and ticket agents from Monday 5 January 2017.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Not so sweet at Caroline Springs: expect overcrowded trains when new station opens

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Gippsland councils lobby Victorian Government to fix 'worst V/Line passenger train service in state'

Gippsland's six shire councils have joined forces to lobby the Victorian Government to spend proceeds from the sale of the Port of Melbourne lease to improve train services in Gippsland.

The Gippsland Local Government Network (GLGN) has developed a 15-year plan for better passenger rail services in eastern Victoria.

It argues Gippsland has the slowest and most unreliable regional rail service in the state, and patronage will not increase unless it improves.

Wellington Shire mayor Carolyn Crossley said it was often quicker to drive to Melbourne than take the train, and there were not enough train services linking the region's major centres such as Bairnsdale, Sale and Traralgon.

"It's actually the worst in Victoria. Somebody has to actually step up and start investing in this infrastructure," Cr Crossley said.

"Public transport is really a key driver to our future prosperity, both with job creation and tourism, and we just don't have it."
Upgrades flagged

    Duplication of the Dandenong Rail Corridor
    Extra platforms at Traralgon and Morwell stations
    Replacement of Avon River bridge at Stratford
    New signalling for Sale to Bairnsdale service

The Victorian and Federal Governments have allocated more than $300 million to the Gippsland region to cushion the impact of the Hazelwood Power station closure in March.

Cr Crossley said the lack of decent public transport in the region was inhibiting efforts to lure big business and industry to the region to boost jobs.

"It's one of the first things that comes up. Where's the train services? It's a major blocking point for investment," she said.

Cr Crossley said the rail upgrades would cost billions of dollars, but $500,000 was needed in the short term to plan the works.
Track duplication recommended

East Gippsland Shire mayor Joe Rettino said Gippsland V/Line trains were often delayed as they travelled in and out of Melbourne, because they shared a track with metropolitan trains.

The GLGN study recommends a duplication of the Dandenong rail corridor and a $21 million replacement of the Avon River Bridge at Stratford, to improve travel times.

"It's not even on the drawing board," Cr Rettino said.

"Particularly given what's happening with Hazelwood and the increased opportunities for Gippsland in bringing more people to the region, we just feel this is another obstacle in preventing them coming further east."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> V/Line train runs out of fuel, leaving passengers bemused

[#Metro]

V/Line

One in nine of VLine's Geelong trains late in last two years

ONE in nine Geelong trains have run late over the past two years, with local passengers enduring one of the least reliable services in the state.

An average of 11.5 per cent of Geelong services ran at least six minutes late in both 2015 and 2016, data released by V/Line shows.

"It is poor. It is a disappointing return for the amount of money that's been spent on the ($3.65 billion) Regional Rail Link," he said.

"We see the same issues arising month after month after month," he said, citing delays caused by signalling, track, personnel and passenger issues.

"And these are issues that can be fixed or eliminated."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/one-in-nine-of-vlines-geelong-trains-late-in-last-two-years/news-story/4b870a719e0f9b61cad35c501fdafa50

[ozbob]

Caroline Springs station opens 29th January 2017

>> https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/network-changes/more-in-store-for-regional-victoria/more-in-store-for-caroline-springs/

More in store for Caroline Springs

From 29 January your new Caroline Springs Station will open with 288 V/Line trains each week and a new bus service, giving you more choice to get around.

Trains will run every 20 to 30 minutes during peak times and every 60 minutes during the day to and from Southern Cross Station.
Community Day - Saturday 28 January

Before the trains come rolling into the platforms, we're inviting you to a community celebration. There'll be snags on the BBQ, face painting for the kids and a whole lot more.

When: 10 am - 1pm, Saturday 28 January

Where: Caroline Springs Station, Christies Road, Caroline Springs

To coincide with the opening of Caroline Springs Station, bus Routes 460 and 461 will be extended to improve access to local destinations for the growing local communities.

Route 460 will be extended from Caroline Springs Town Centre to the new Caroline Spring Station, via Caroline Springs Boulevard and Christies Road.

Route 461 will be extended into the growing area of Plumpton. Buses will run along Hume Drive, City Vista Court and Taylors Road, and will no longer travel along Gourlay Road. The service will continue to connect residents to Watergardens and the Caroline Springs Town Centre. Route 461 will depart from outside the Caroline Springs Library on Caroline Springs Boulevard, and will no longer serve the Caroline Springs Square Shopping Centre bus stop.

The bus service will coordinate with train services at the new Caroline Springs Station, keeping the station connected to the wider community.

Click on the links below to see the timetable and route maps for:

Route 460: Watergardens Station to Caroline Springs via Gourlay Road

Route 461: Watergardens Station to Caroline Springs via Taylors Hill

Caroline Springs locals can take advantage of the Night Coach service each Friday and Saturday night, starting on Friday 3 February.

Commuters can also ride to the new Caroline Springs Station and securely lock their bike in the Parkiteer bike cage. For more information on how to register for Parkiteer visit www.parkiteer.com.au

Please check times before you travel to see which service best suits your needs. View your new timetable or pick one up from staffed V/Line stations, PTV hubs or premium Metro stations.

Download the More in Store for Caroline Springs information brochure (PDF) 870kB.

For customers with accessibility requirements, all contents of the brochure can be found on this page.

How is your network changing?

    Trains to the city will stop at Deer Park, Ardeer, Sunshine, Footscray and Southern Cross stations.
    Caroline Springs is a myki-enabled Zone 2 station.
    Bus Route 460 will now stop at Caroline Springs Station.
    Both routes 460 and 461 giving you direct connection to Watergardens Station
    Buses will run more often on routes 460 and 461 during busy times, to better connect with trains and other buses.
    Route 461 will make it easier to get to and from Plumpton South.

[ozbob]

https://www.vline.com.au/News-Alerts/News-Articles/Off-peak-fares-for-long-distance-services

V/Line --> Off-peak fares for long distance services

Tickets on all long distance V/Line services will be charged at off-peak fares once the new timetable is introduced on Sunday 29 January. 

This includes services which arrive or depart Melbourne during the peak period, such as the new 17:13 train from Southern Cross Station to Warrnambool and the new 16:31 train from Southern Cross Station to Shepparton, along with the 05:15 train from Shepparton to Southern Cross Station, which is currently charged at peak rates.

V/Line long distance services run between Melbourne and Warrnambool, Ararat, Maryborough, Swan Hill, Echuca, Shepparton, Albury and Bairnsdale.

Customers travelling on long distance services whose journey is entirely within the commuter boundary require a valid myki for their trip and will be charged at the appropriate myki rates.

Customers who have paid a peak fare for a long distance service from 29 January can claim a refund for the fare difference from a staffed V/Line station or by calling 1800 800 007.

[ozbob]

V/Line --> There's more in store for regional Victoria

There's more in store for regional Victoria with 80 new weekly train services across the network as part of a new timetable from Sunday 29 January 2017.

You will have more choice with new services on the Maryborough, Shepparton, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Gippsland lines.

The new Caroline Springs Station will officially open at the same time, with 288 trains stopping at the station each week.

Maryborough will get an extra return service each weekday, and a Seymour service will be extended to Shepparton in the afternoon during the week.

A fourth return train service will be introduced on the Warrnambool each weekday, and an extra return on Sundays.

Customers on the Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Gippsland lines will benefit from extra evening weekday services, giving you more choice about when you travel.

An additional train for Wyndham Vale and Tarneit customers will be introduced each weekday morning, boosting services for customers in Melbourne's south west suburbs.

Trains will have altered stopping patterns to increase services to some stations, and some town bus and regional coach timetables will be adjusted to better connect with train services.

Some services will depart earlier or later so please check times before you travel to find a service that suits your needs.

Customers can use the Plan a Journey tool to plan their trip and book tickets on long distance services.

The new V/Line train and coach timetables are available here. Printed versions are available at staffed V/Line stations, premium Metro stations, PTV hubs and V/Line ticket agents.

[ozbob]

^ Great to see these incremental improvements for regional Victoria rail.

One state is progressively improving things hey?

[tazzer9]

Pretty impressive.  But they must be stretching their long distance fleet fairly thin. 

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/melbournes-newest-station-ready-for-passengers/

Melbourne's Newest Station Ready For Passengers

Minister for Public Transport 28 January 2017

Caroline Springs Station – the tenth new station opened by the Andrews Labor Government – is finished and ready for passengers.

Member for Kororoit Marlene Kairouz today joined hundreds of locals and visitors to celebrate the completion of the new station, which will open to passengers tomorrow as part of a new V/Line timetable that will add 80 extra services across Victoria.

The new station will be serviced by more than 280 services a week, with trains every 30 minutes on average in the peak, and every hour on average off-peak.

The announcement is the culmination of two years of hard work by the Labor Government to build the station after the former Liberal Government abandoned it. Caroline Springs Station was funded by Labor in 2009, but nothing happed for four years under the former Liberal Government, leaving local passengers stranded.

In just over two years, the Labor Government has finished the station and made a number of key improvements to its design, including a wider centre platform, customer toilets and an enclosed waiting area.

These extra features mean the new Caroline Springs Station will be staffed and ready for the thousands of passengers that are expected to use the station from tomorrow.

Bus services have also been upgraded, with Route 460 extended from the town centre to the new station, and there is a secure bike cage close to the platform to encourage people to ride the station and catch the train.

The new station comes ahead of the Labor Government's $518 million transformation of the Ballarat line, which will duplicate the line to Melton, creating space for more services, more often through Melbourne's west.

More carriages are being added to local services to reducing crowding and creating space for more passengers, and performance is improving with punctuality on the Ballarat line hitting 18-month highs late last year.

For more information and to plan your journey, visit ptv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Caroline Springs Station is finished and ready for the thousands of passengers that are expected to use it from tomorrow."

"It's part of our record investment in public transport, which includes half-a-billion dollars to duplicate the line to Melton and run more frequent, reliable services through Melbourne's west."

Quotes attributable to Member for Kororoit Marlene Kairouz

"Locals have been waiting a long time for this station and we have delivered it – because we care about public transport and we care about people."

"After years of delay and excuses under the former Liberal Government we've delivered Caroline Springs Station, connecting this growing community to the train network for the first time."

[ozbob]

ABC News --> New Caroline Springs train station may reach capacity on second day, mayor says

The strain on infrastructure in Melbourne's booming outer west is in the spotlight once again, amid concerns its newest train station may reach capacity within 24 hours of opening.

V/Line services at Caroline Springs will begin operating on Sunday, with trains every 30 minutes during peak hour through the week.

Melton Council's mayor said the station had been a long time coming, but the 350-space car park was expected to reach capacity on Monday morning.

"I think the car park will be full by about 7:30am," Sophie Ramsey said.

    "The City of Melton is a growth corridor, and we're going to have hundreds of thousands more people coming into this corridor."

But grassland home to a critically endangered shrub called spiny rice flower surrounds the station, making it difficult for the car park to expand.

It could be relocated, but that is extremely costly.

"I'd be looking at lobbying to get a high-rise car park," Cr Ramsey said.

Unlike many other stations, where drivers can park in the streets surrounding the station, Caroline Springs is isolated.

The only option is to travel to another station or go home and return on the bus.

V/Line acknowledged concerns the station may quickly reach capacity during peak times and said it would monitor patronage numbers.

"We think we're going to be OK," chief executive James Pinder said.

"People can be strange creatures sometimes and understanding their habits is not always easy ahead of time but we've done our homework.

    "Originally it was going to be one platform, a single line. We've taken the opportunity to future-proof it as much as we can."

Trains will be 'chock-a-block' before reaching Caroline Springs

But despite capacity concerns, the long-awaited station has been welcomed by locals sick of travelling to congested stations such as Deer Park.

The station is also serviced by bus routes and has bicycle storage.

"For Caroline Springs, it means they've finally got the station they've wanted for a very long time," Mr Pinder said.

Ambarish Harn said he was close enough to ride his bike and leave the car at home.

    "I'll be using it from Monday; I've been looking forward to it for a long time. I'm glad it's finally here. I'm pretty fortunate I live nearby," he said.

"A lot of locals travel to nearby stations like Deer Park and Keilor Plains."

Heather Facciolo said the facilities looked good but she was concerned about capacity.

"They say the trains are full when they come from Melton, so I don't know how anybody will get a seat," Ms Facciolo said.

"Let's hope there's enough train space for us. We normally catch buses into the city, so we'll give it a try next week," said her husband, John.

"We'll catch the bus, we wouldn't bring the car here. I don't think it's big enough. [The others in the area] are all chock-a-block by 8:00am and this one looks smaller."

[ozbob]

@VLine @vline_ballarat the sun rising from Melbourne's newest train station Caroline Springs this morning 😊☀️ pic.twitter.com/AMybZiAiEy

— Luke Hildred (@LukeHildred) January 29, 2017

[ozbob]

Eighty New Regional Services And A Brand New Station - https://t.co/QIB17S8cXw #springst

— Vic Government News (@VicGovtNews) January 29, 2017

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/level-crossing-upgrades-to-restore-warrnambool-timetable/

Level Crossing Upgrades To Restore Warrnambool Timetable

Minister for Public Transport 13th February 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will upgrade 20 level crossings on the Warrnambool line this year to improve safety and restore services to timetable.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan revealed the $10 million package of works today, which will allow speed restrictions put in place after the horrific crash at Pirron Yallock last year to be lifted.

Over the next ten months, the Labor Government will install lights, bells and boom gates at 20 high-risk level crossings between Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool.

The Labor Government's Safer Country Crossings program has already upgraded three level crossings on the Warrnambool line – at Phalps Road in Pirron Yallock, Flaxmill Road in Colac and Sandys Lane in Gnotuk.

A further eight crossings earmarked as part of the program will be fast tracked and 12 addition crossings will be upgraded, enabling trains to run safely on-time again by the end of the year.

While these works are undertaken, Warrnambool services will continue to be delayed and passengers will need to allow an extra 15-20 minutes for their journey.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"The level crossing upgrades will improve safety, remove speed restrictions and restore services to timetable."

"It's the biggest investment in the level crossing upgrades ever seen on the Warrnambool line and follows the 12 new train services we introduced last month – the first new services for Warrnambool in more than a decade."

Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

"These speed restrictions are in place for people's safety but I know the delays have been frustrating for local passengers. We hear you and we are acting."

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> V/Line train crashes into abandoned car near Bendigo


http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/d/l/e/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gudig9.png/1487166270869.jpg


http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/d/l/e/m/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gudig9.png/1487166270869.jpg

Five people have been injured after a V/Line train carrying about 80 passengers derailed when it hit a car abandoned on tracks near Bendigo.

The train hit a four-wheel-drive on the track about 2pm on Wednesday.

All services to and from Melbourne have been cancelled.

V/Line said the car was illegally crossing the tracks, when it became stuck.

"The incident did not take place at a level crossing. The driver was not inside the car at the time of the impact," a V/Line spokeswoman said.

"The track has sustained damage from the impact and will require repairs before trains can safely travel along the line."

Passengers were forced to get off the train in scrub near Kangaroo Flat. Five people suffered minor injuries.

The train was the 12.14pm Southern Cross to Epsom service, with about 80 passengers, a conductor and driver on board.

All services on the Bendigo line have been suspended until further notice, and there are replacement buses for the Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman said two people were taken to Bendigo hospital with minor injuries.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Five-year plan to save Geelong line from slower, more overcrowded trains

The Geelong railway line will need an overhaul within five years, or it will decline into a slow, overcrowded service with more and more passengers standing in the aisles over long journeys, an expert analysis warns.

Geelong line trains have run on the Regional Rail Link, Melbourne's newest rail line, since it opened 18 months ago. The link also serves the rapidly expanding suburbs of Wyndham.

But the link's dual purpose is already creating tension between regional and suburban passenger needs.

Demand for trains between the CBD and Wyndham is growing so fast that patronage on the Geelong line jumped 57 per cent in the link's first year, an extra 2.4 million journeys, all because of two new outer suburban stations at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale.

Less than two years old, the Regional Rail Link "has already become a victim of its own success" and will soon be overwhelmed, the Rail Futures Institute predicts.

There are already 17 trains an hour in the peak, and the link was built to handle just 18 trains an hour.

The link has also done nothing to reduce train travel times between Geelong and the city.

"Instead of speeding Geelong trains, it slowed them, and the fastest journey is now no better than in 1958, almost 60 years ago. Hardly progress," the institute says.

If something isn't done, more people will be standing on Geelomng trains Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

The Andrews government's planned solution for the line, a new "high-capacity regional train" with extra standing room to fit in more peak-hour travellers, is a mistake that would consign Geelong travellers to ever-slower journey times, the institute argues.

As train patronage grows, journey times generally blow out as passengers take more time getting on and off at stations.

There are also long-term plans to build three new suburban stations along the Regional Rail Link, which will further stretch out journey times between Geelong and the city.

The institute argues that dedicated new express tracks must be built for Geelong trains, There is space, it says, for two extra tracks in the corridor between Wyndham Vale and Sunshine.

The existing line would be electrified between Wyndham Vale and Southern Cross Station, at an estimated cost of $500 million, and would be operated by Metro Trains instead of V/Line.

Rail Futures spokesman Bill Russell said a failure to separate suburban and regional trains would ultimately make Melbourne less accessible for Geelong residents.

"Journey time is really important, it gives the Geelong community a lot of options in terms of employment and education in Melbourne, access to the footy and so on, so a 45-minute service is what we should be aiming for," Dr Russell said.

Paul Westcott, the Public Transport Users Association's regional spokesman, said the Regional Rail Link has been built to serve two purposes, so was struggling to do either.

"It was designed to take Geelong trains out of the way of Metro trains, and also designed to give Wyndham Vale and Tarneit a suburban-type service," he said.

"It hasn't done either of those well."

The Andrews government was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.

[ozbob]

Services have resumed on the @VLine_Bendigo corridor this morning. The train which struck the car left on tracks was moved last night. pic.twitter.com/w0eZz54v18

— V/Line (@VLine) February 16, 2017

[ozbob]

Time lapse sequence taken on 16 02 2017 of the recovery process for 3VL34 which was derailed by an abandoned 4WD on the outskirts of Kangaroo Flat on 15 02 2017.

[ozbob]

The Courier (Ballarat) --> Anger after V/Line slashes capacity of peak hour services

Commuters along the Ballarat line have been left angry by peak hour services repeatedly being slashed from six carriages to three, causing increased congestion and forcing some customers to stand the entire journey.

Customers took to Facebook and Twitter to vent their frustration at the crowded service, with some commuters complaining of having to stand for the entire journey.

Customers also vented their frustration at the same problem occurring on the same service on March 2

Public Transport Users Association Ballarat convenor Ben Lever said while overcrowding has been common on the Ballarat line for a long time, the association had received a clear spike in complaints over the past fortnight.

"Passenger numbers have boomed in recent years and the government is very much playing catch-up," Mr Lever said. 

"Whatever the reason the carriages are being taken off the Ballarat line at the moment, it highlights just how close to capacity V/Line's fleet is."

The reduced capacity comes despite the pledge during the last state budget to add 27 carriages to a longstanding commitment for an additional 21 carriages to the line. 

Six carriages were also added to two of the line's busiest services in November last year.

Regular commuter Barbara Pipcorn said she had returned to driving at points during the past two weeks due to the state of congestion and the unexpected stops.

"There's been times where we've been left with three cars and have been told to move up and everybody's crammed in and there's not a coach replacement," Ms Pipcorn said.  "We pay mega-dollars to use the service from Ballarat and it's just not acceptable.

A V/Line spokesperson said "there are times when we need to run different train types or carriage arrangements".

"Reasons for reducing the number of carriages can include trains that require cleaning after graffiti, animal strikes or unexpected faults," the spokesperson said. 

While V/Line will in some instances run coaches where carriages are removed from a service, this is not always the case.

V/Line's performance figures for January showed an acceptable 96.4 per cent in reliability and a sub-par 85.2 per cent punctuality rate, with February figures expected to be released in the coming days.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> End of the line nears for Seymour's 150-year-old train signals as Melbourne sprawls

The future can have its driverless cars.

Out on the Seymour line in central Victoria the trains are still run by a signalling system that hasn't changed since the 1870s.

Out on the Seymour line in central Victoria V/Line trains still run with a signalling system that hasn’t changed since the 1870s.

It's as old as Edison's electric light bulb and, like that invention, it still works, although actual working examples are hard to find these days. 

Called double line block signalling, this arcane system of bells, levers and wooden boxes has been used to safely run trains between Melbourne and Seymour since 1876.

It's the last of its kind in Australia, a steam-era communication system V/Line persists with on its fifth busiest rail line, years after it was phased out elsewhere.

But its days are numbered.

Although V/Line could not say when it will be replaced, the planned expansion of Melbourne's urban boundary will trigger the end for the primitive technology as towns such as Donnybrook and Wallan are swallowed by suburbia.

There are just a handful of staff at V/Line who know how to run the old system, which has its own language of bell calls, similar to morse code.

V/Line's Kilmore East station master, Colin Mans, is one of them.

Aged 59, he has worked for the Victorian railways since he was 16, long enough to have operated double line block signalling when it was still used on some suburban lines in Melbourne.

He doesn't want to see it phased out on the Seymour line, and argues it's more reliable than modern signalling.

"Even if something does break, it is not going to affect the travelling public," Mr Mans says.

"That's why this line has better on-time figures than all the other lines."

This is true.

The Seymour line has better punctuality and reliability figures over the past 12 months than V/Line's other, busier commuter lines to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Traralgon.

It is also the only intercity line that was left out of the Regional Fast Rail upgrade of the early 2000s, when tracks and sleepers were replaced, modern signals were installed and line speeds were increased to 160 km/h. 

Seymour line trains still can't get anywhere near those speeds.

Bart Matthews, V/Line's senior maintenance manager, signals and communications, said double line block signalling is "a fascinating piece of engineering that continues to provide a safe and reliable service more than a century after it was built". 

"With a range of improvements planned for the Seymour line we know it won't be around forever – but for the moment it's still fit for purpose and doing the job," Mr Matthews said.

Paul Westcott, the Public Transport Users Association's regional spokesman, said the simplicity of the old signalling technology made it more robust than modern systems, but also slower and an impediment to running more trains.

"It also tells a story of underinvestment over many decades," Mr Westcott said.

"The signalling might be in the 19th century configuration and the track and other infrastructure is very much still in the 20th century as well."

The state government's regional network development plan proposes running more frequent services on the Seymour line, which has just 20 trains a day, increasing train speeds and replacing old signalling.

The proposal is unfunded.

Late last month the government announced it would release 100,000 new housing lots on Melbourne's expanded urban fringe by the end of next year. Tens of thousands of those lots will depend on the Seymour line for public transport access to Melbourne.

[ozbob]

http://vicsig.net/photo/21363



Following arrival from Newport Workshops, car set SN8 in the new PTV livery is shunted to the pass yard by Y161 near Southern Cross

Wednesday, 15th March 2017
Photo: Ian Green

[ozbob]

Hey @VLine like my new tablet case? pic.twitter.com/7PYwrQAlGN

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 7, 2017

@VLine I will be in Melbourne over Easter. I will send you a selfie on a Vliner ... 😁

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 7, 2017