By Jessica Micallef
Punctuality on Bendigo line train services has improved, with 87.9 per cent of services arriving at their destinations on time last month.
The result is an almost 8 per cent improvement on the same month last year, according to new figures.
A V/Line spokesperson said they were pleased with last month’s results.
“While this improvement in performance is pleasing, we are always looking to further improve our services,” the spokesperson said.
Reasons for delay to the Bendigo line services in June included track faults, congestion and delays on tracks shared with metropolitan trains.
This is the fifth time this year that performance on the Bendigo line has been higher than 87 per cent and is more than 8 per cent higher than June 2018 when punctuality came in at 80 per cent.
Sunbury line punctuality for the month of June was 87.5 per cent.
Reasons for delay to the Sunbury line services in June included track faults, congestions and delays on tracks sharing metropolitan and regional trains.
There was also a delay because a person was hit by a V/Line train at Ginifer Station on June 5 which suspended Sunbury train services between Sunshine and Watergardens.
A weather event caused more than 50 Sunbury trains to run late on a single day in June, while punctuality was also impacted by a number of ill passengers.
Metro Trains has introduced a number of initiatives to help passengers get on and off trains faster. This includes markings on platforms to assist passengers clear space for those getting off the trains, and the trial of a ‘burn’ line on station platform displays to alert passengers when trains are departing.
