V/Line - articles discussion etc

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/maxxthum/status/1644854955961114624

[#Metro]

V/Line commuters abandon regional journeys amid overcrowded carriages, lack of services

"The next one after our failed attempt was an hour later. How many people had their Easter ruined by V/Line's incompetence?" Mr Renwick said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-14/vline-commuters-abandon-regional-journeys-overcrowded-carriages/102222310?fbclid=IwAR07_HMyVbwTPMNFa_YwR1pwjAqm68PHH9VE6k1wyHXvegbJu_1IZOpJO8U

 

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Riordan questions V/Line fare cap funding

As the new V/Line fare cap comes into effect, the Victorian shadow transport minister Richard Riordan has pointed at a $155 million funding shortfall.

He claimed that Parliamentary Budget Office figures show the true cost of Labor's cheaper V/Line fares policy to be $358.1m over the next four years, more than has been budgeted by the State Government to date.

"This budget shortfall is anticipated to reach over $900m over the next decade and places the viability of ongoing cheaper public transport for regional Victorians at serious risk," he said.

"Victoria's net debt is set to exceed that of New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania combined, and the interest bill to service the debt is more than $10.5m every day. This is wasted money that could instead be spent on delivering better, more frequent rail services while keeping fares affordable." ...

[Jonno]

Just a reminder that the only link between fares and services is a political one. No link between revenue and road construction nor any link between economic benefit and road construction whilst I think about it.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/aussiewongm/status/1650256199055732736

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> V/Line under attack pledges to review booking, reservation policies

V/Line, under fire for years from passengers forced to sit on the floor on the Melbourne-Albury route due to no seating, says it will review its booking and reservation policies.

In the latest attack since cheaper fares were introduced in March causing a surge in patronage, the operator was slammed for selling tickets to passengers to board trains on route despite seating being filled to capacity.

Benambra MP Bill Tilley said it "is an absurd situation", citing an incident last Saturday when the Melbourne-bound VLocity morning train arrived in Wangaratta already fully loaded, with passengers forced to stand or sit on the floor until the train arrived at Benalla where coaches were waiting.

A V/Line spokesperson said a coach was provided at Wangaratta station to transport passengers, but when the bus filled to capacity two more coaches were assigned to Benalla station. ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Patronage surge after cheap rail tickets jams Albury, Wodonga car parks $

With the surge in popularity of the Albury-Melbourne rail route since the price of tickets dropped dramatically two months ago, passengers are struggling to find parking spots at both Albury and Wodonga train stations.

In April, V/Line said ticket sales at stations and agents on the Albury-Melbourne line increased about 40 per cent in the first fortnight since the introduction of the capped fee on March 31.

In Albury, many vehicles have been spotted parking on a grassy area at the southern end of the regularly packed station carpark, while in Wodonga, cars were also spotted on the grass after finding no spots in the car park. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1668842517268430850

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Extra V/Line train services announced on Albury-Melbourne line $

Extra weekend rail services between Albury and Melbourne have been launched following a surge in passengers since cheaper fares were introduced in March which resulted in overcrowding and safety concerns.

From Saturday, July 1, there will be an additional Saturday morning service from Albury to Melbourne and a Sunday afternoon service from the capital back to the Border. ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> BRAG seeks promise to maintain extra Albury-Melbourne services $

The battle to improve the Albury-Melbourne rail service is not over say Border rail activists who want a commitment for the extra services announced on Thursday, June 29, to extend beyond winter.

Two new weekend train services have been launched to run through July and August but the Border Rail Action Group, which has been in talks with the operator, V/Line, said there must be a promise to extend that commitment.

"It would take a brave government to scrap it after the footy season if people get used to a decent service," BRAG executive member Dennis Toohey said. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1676344014130548737

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> 'Overcrowded': Cheap train tickets a hit, but passengers forced to stand for hours $

The number of times long-haul train travellers have been unable to find a seat has doubled to more than 2000 per day since the Andrews government slashed the price of V/Line tickets.

The fares were capped at $9.20 a day in late March, bringing them in line with Myki charges for metropolitan travellers. Previously passengers had to pay $27.60 for a weekday return journey from Geelong to Melbourne, while a return ticket to Swan Hill was $92.

The cheaper tickets were a key promise for Labor and the Coalition during last year's state election campaign as the major parties sought to woo regional voters amid the cost-of-living crisis. ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Transport chief replies to letter on packed Albury V/Line trains $

A call for train passengers to "always hold on" when aboard overcrowded V/Line services reflects a "dismissive" government attitude, a Wodonga letter writer says.

Michelle Cowan wrote to Victorian Transport Minister Ben Carroll after her relative was forced to stand for an entire journey from Melbourne to Wodonga on April 30, 2023.

Acting public transport chief Tracey Williams replied after Ms Cowan's letter was referred to her from the minister's office.

Ms Williams notes the 12.04pm train from Melbourne on April 30 was reduced to three, rather than six, carriages due to a fault and coaches were made available at Southern Cross and Seymour stations. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ptua/status/1679289462541647873

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/BenCarrollMP/status/1682220594161672192

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Border Rail Action Group says new V/Line order can't ply Albury line $

Claims that more carriages might have been ordered to alleviate chronic overcrowding on the Albury-Melbourne line are misleading, the Border Rail Action Group says.

On Friday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews sidetracked around a question as to whether an order for new VLocity carriages placed earlier this year might supply new rolling stock for the North East line.

"Let me come back to you on where those trains are going," Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews then said the government had made a "profound investment" with "a massive rolling stock agenda ... an additional 20 VLocity three-car sets".

BRAG representative John Dunstan said it was disingenuous to suggest that more VLocity carriages had been ordered to service the Albury line.

"Mr Andrews knows full well that all those VLocity carriages on order are broad gauge, and that there are no standard gauge VLocity carriages on order," Mr Dunstan said. ...

[ozbob]

The Guardian --> 'Find a spot on the floor': overcrowding complaints grow as Victorians take advantage of rail fare cap

V/Line passengers are used to delays, slow journeys and rail-replacement buses. Now they face a new challenge: finding a seat ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Barnawartha North, Wangaratta and Glenrowan works for Inland Rail $

A BRIDGE will be formed, underpass arches installed and track lowered during a work blitz along the North East railway line from September 23 to 25.

The alterations will happen at Glenrowan, Wangaratta and Barnawatha North as part of the Inland Rail works which are designed to allow double-stacked freight trains to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation, which is overseeing the project, has been given exclusive access to the train line from Saturday September 23 until 11pm Monday September 25.

That means there will be no V/Line, XPT or freight trains travelling along the line for that period, allowing unfettered access. ...

[ozbob]

Premier of Victoria Statement

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/real-time-info-regional-train-passengers

Real Time Info For Regional Train Passengers

05 October 2023

Travelling on Victoria's regional train network just got simpler and more convenient with access to real time information on V/Line train arrivals now available on phones and other personal devices.

From this week, real time data on V/Line train services will be available on the key apps people across Victoria use when they travel - Google and Apple Maps and AnyTrips apps.

Until now, real time data for V/Line train services has only been available at stations on platform display boards.

Real time data makes coordinating when you leave home for the station easier and avoids unnecessary travel time by alerting you if trains are running slightly behind schedule or there are significant unplanned disruptions.

Giving passengers access to real time information at their fingertips helps support the growing number of regional visitors and locals taking advantage of the Allan Labor Government's regional rare cap.

Since the introduction of the regional fare cap – creating fare equity for regional travellers - Victorians have saved more than $4 million each month.

Passengers using the world's largest tram network will also have access to real time data through more channels. Currently, Yarra Trams passengers only have access to real time information via the tramTRACKER app or the PTV app or at tram stops displays.

Passengers across the state and on all modes of public transport now have access to real-time travel information, except for V/Line coach and freight services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams

"We're taking the next step towards a smarter, more responsive and more coordinated public transport system in Victoria with real time information widely available across our trains, trams and local buses."

"With the regional fare cap proving to be extremely popular with Victorians, we're ensuring passengers have more information at their fingertips to take full advantage of the reduced fares and a better travel experience."

[ozbob]

 

https://x.com/OperationalInc1/status/1715619966614155269?s=20

[ozbob]

Geelong Advertiser --> V/Line Geelong train 'incorrectly routed' to Ballarat $

A V/Line train that was meant to head to Geelong was "incorrectly routed" towards Ballarat on Thursday, causing delays for passengers.

The 4.09pm service from Southern Cross to Waurn Ponds went the wrong way at Deer Park towards Ballarat due to an operational error.

V/Line is looking into how this occurred. ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Full up by Wodonga, so train passengers are forced to stand, sit on floor

Passengers were left standing and sitting on the floor after a V/Line train from Albury to Melbourne was over capacity when it arrived in Wodonga on Monday December 4.

The 6.45am service was swamped by patrons with a group of around 50 students from Albury's James Fallon High School swelling the numbers.

Wodonga passenger Janine Flack, who was travelling with her husband to a Foo Fighters rock concert, was stunned to find all unreserved seats were already occupied. ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Wild weather, signal faults and a roo blamed for Christmas rail chaos $

Severe weather on the North East rail line on Christmas morning - and a kangaroo strike - caused delays up to four and a half hours for Albury travellers heading to Melbourne.

A V/Line spokesman said several problems with tracks, signals and a roo had caused "significant delays" while the Australian Rail Track Corporation crews tended to repairs. ...

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Boost to V/Line services in wake of crowding sparked by low fares $

In response to increased demand generated by low ticket prices, V/Line is introducing new services from Albury.

The alterations from Saturday, February 24, involve extra coach services being added to the weekend timetable.

New return bus services from Albury to Seymour will operate on Saturdays and Sundays and connect with train runs to Melbourne.

The Saturday schedule involves a coach leaving Albury at 10.31am and arriving at Seymour at 1.21pm to link in to the 1.36pm train to Southern Cross.

A return service to Albury will depart Seymour at 3.29pm and arrive in the Border city at 6.19pm.

The Sunday addition involves the bus exiting Albury at 9.12am and reaching Seymour in time for the 12.17pm train to the capital city.

The return run consists of the coach leaving Seymour at 6.09pm and terminating at Albury at 8.59pm.

All of the new bus journeys include stops at Wodonga, Wangaratta and Benalla. ...

[ozbob]

The Border Mail --> 'Treated like second class citizens': Longer rail strike looms as dispute deepens $

Victoria's regional rail network will be at a standstill on the eve of the Labor Day Long weekend as workers walk off the job for 13 hours.

Authorised officers, customer service staff, conductors and train controllers will stop work between 3am and 4pm on Friday March 8.

It's a major escalation in a long-running dispute between rail operator V/Line and the Rail, Tram and Bus union over a new enterprise agreement. ...

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Autumn blitz for Victoria's regional rail

The Victorian Government is continuing to transform Victoria's rail network, with significant works planned throughout autumn – which will help add more services, remove level crossings and improve facilities for regional passengers.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson announced a large package of works will take place in the state's north-east, with coaches replacing trains between Seymour and Shepparton and some trains between Southern Cross and Seymour from 9 March to 14 April. ...

[ozbob]

https://x.com/VLine/status/1762553230280520013?s=20

[ozbob]

https://x.com/9NewsMelb/status/1765637638885658876?s=20

[ozbob]

https://x.com/VLine/status/1765585439656743150?s=20

[verbatim9]

The Conversation --->Air quality at many train stations is alarmingly bad. Here's how to improve it

[verbatim9]

^^I have been saying this for years, regarding Southern Cross, it's very noticeable and unpleasant.

[ozbob]

The Border Mail --> 'Transformed travel': Big demand for cheap V/Line tickets exposed in data $

Nearly 450,000 passengers have travelled on the Albury train line in the first 12 months of discounted V/Line rail fares.

The train operator told The Border Mail that 448,554 commuters had boarded a V/Line service in the year since March 31, 2023, when the price of a return trip from Albury-Wodonga to Melbourne plummeted from $82.40 to $9.20.

That compares to 286,077 across the same period in 2019-20 before COVID and the latest figure represents a 56 per cent jump in patronage.

In March this year, there were about 40,000 trips taken on the North East line, compared with 26,000 in the same month last year. ...

[ozbob]

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1803983861325746485

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Too many guests, not enough trains: Minimum 18 month delay for new V/Line trains $

A surge in passenger numbers has heaped pressure on Victoria's regional rail network but an 18-month delay for additional trains is set to tighten the squeeze.

More trains for Victoria's regional rail lines are still at least another 18 months away as the network struggles to cope with increasing passenger numbers.

The $10 fare cap attracted travellers to take more than 22 million trips in the first year, but overcrowding on V/Line services is a common problem with the squeeze now also being felt on weekends. ...

[OzGamer]

The last time I was in Southern Cross station the place stank of diesel fumes. They should definitely be using diesel/electric bi-mode trains so they can at least use the wires to get out of Southern Cross and the inner city even if they then need to use diesel for the rest of the trip.

[ozbob]

The last time I was in Southern Cross station the place stank of diesel fumes. They should definitely be using diesel/electric bi-mode trains so they can at least use the wires to get out of Southern Cross and the inner city even if they then need to use diesel for the rest of the trip.

Agreed.  The VLos are great units but the present configuration is getting dated.

Vline is being flogged due to the $10 fare cap and the fact that some lines are operating as suburban feeders these days (eg. Geelong).

Southern Cross station is best approached with a gas mask on. 

It was much cleaner in the steam days as old Spencer Street! 

[SurfRail]

Unfortunately there are more Vlocities on the way with little to no indication V/Line will ever have any electric rollingstock - either full electric (which really should already be in place to Waurn Ponds, at minimum), or bi-mode (which would allow broad gauge sets to use wires where they exist).  In practice I think the best outcome would be to convert the newer Vlocities to be able to operate as bi-modal if possible, and otherwise to start planning for full electrification to Waurn Ponds, Bendigo/Epsom/Eaglehawk, Wendouree, Seymour (via the SG and BG routes) and Traralgon.  Beyond these points you have less frequent booked seat services.

[ozbob]

They are out there ...

https://x.com/declanmartin75/status/1815527700737802512

[OzGamer]

Unfortunately there are more Vlocities on the way with little to no indication V/Line will ever have any electric rollingstock - either full electric (which really should already be in place to Waurn Ponds, at minimum), or bi-mode (which would allow broad gauge sets to use wires where they exist).  In practice I think the best outcome would be to convert the newer Vlocities to be able to operate as bi-modal if possible, and otherwise to start planning for full electrification to Waurn Ponds, Bendigo/Epsom/Eaglehawk, Wendouree, Seymour (via the SG and BG routes) and Traralgon.  Beyond these points you have less frequent booked seat services.

The other thing is if they did ever electrify out to Melton and Wyndham Vale as they talk about you could almost certainly run electric/battery bi-mode to Ballarat and Geelong. The solutions are there.

[ozbob]

Border Mail --> Train collides with car, North East line grinds to a halt for hours $

The North East rail line shut down on Wednesday morning, August 7, after an Albury-bound train collided with a car just after 8am.

There were no passengers on board the train, and the drivers of the service, as well as the motorist, were uninjured.

The collision happened at the Donnybrook Road level crossing at Donnybrook.

Services on the Albury, Seymour and Shepparton lines were suspended while crews inspected the tracks for any damage.

The 6.45am Albury to Melbourne service was delayed on arrival by more than 70 minutes and the 12.51pm service operated with three carriages instead of six.

The all-clear was given for trains to resume about 9.45am. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1821073806150307944