Bendigo line train commuters have welcomed moves to allow free travel after a week of major disruptions but are urging V/Line to quickly fix the problems that have plagued services on the line.
Hundreds of trains were cancelled last week due to faults, including an escalated rate of wearing on the wheels of VLocity carriages and the failure of a train to trigger boom gates.
Woodend’s Rob Knight, who has travelled on V/Line trains for almost 30 years, said last week’s mass cancellation of services was inexcusable.
‘‘Free travel is good, but they have to improve the service,’’ he said.
‘‘Things have improved as far as quality goes with the new carriages, but reliability and overcrowding has got worse over the past year or two.’’
JACINTA ALLAN
Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan, who ordered an independent review and announced $23 million for axle counters to ensure trains trigger boom gates, said V/Line had failed to adequately prepare for increased regional services.
She said it was an unacceptable and avoidable situation.
‘‘I’m advised that these issues are being addressed through additional maintenance and the replacement of wheels, and that services will progressively resume over the coming weeks,’’ Ms Allan said.
All V/Line travel is free this week, with passengers not paying a cent until next Monday.
A V/Line spokeswoman did not respond to questions by deadline, but in a statement the train operator said commuters using myki would receive automatic reimbursement equivalent to nine days of free travel being provided.
