Warrnambool line trains may have broken their streak of being the slowest in the state, but they are still falling well short of expectations, South West Coast MP Roma Britnell says.
Figures for September show trains on the Warrnambool line were punctual 79.9 per cent of the time. It’s is the second lowest figure in the state, ending six consecutive months of being the worst performing line.
“At 79.9 per cent punctuality, breaking the streak isn’t something we should be celebrating,” Mrs Britnell said.
“Warrnambool line trains haven’t met their punctuality targets for almost two years, it’s becoming tiresome and needs action now.”
Last month in State Parliament, Mrs Britnell called on the Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan to launch an urgent review of punctuality on the line and suggested Warrnambool line trains could run express between Geelong and Melbourne to save some time.
“I’m still waiting on the Ministers response,” Mrs Britnell said.
“Something needs to be done now. It’s a long enough trip as it is, especially for people living west of Warrnambool who rely on coach connections. A late train adds to their journey which for some begins at 4am and doesn’t finish until after midnight.
“We have a fourth daily return service planned to begin in the new year, but the government can’t get the existing services running properly, so I’m fearful of what will happen when we add another.”
Mrs Britnell said she was also awaiting a response from the Minister as to whether the new service will have coach connections to Portland, Heywood, Hamilton and Mount Gambier.
“It’s something that hasn’t been made clear in initial discussions about this additional service and it’s been a concern for a number of constituents who I have spoken to,” she said.
