MORE than 100 trainee train drivers are hitting the rails as part of a recruitment drive to improve regional rail services on the V\/Line network.<\/p>\n
Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne last week welcomed the latest batch of 10 new V\/Line driver trainees.<\/p>\n
The latest additions bring the total number of V\/ Line driver trainees to 108 \u2013 a record for the regional rail operator since its inception in 1983.<\/p>\n
This will enable V\/Line to meet its future operational requirements and bring the total number of qualified drivers to about 415 by December this year.<\/p>\n
V\/Line is bolstering its driver numbers through hiring new trainees and increasing Practical Driver Trainers, along with investing in new training facilities.<\/p>\n
The newest recruits will help deliver extra Ballarat line services following the completion of the halfa- billion dollar Ballarat Line Upgrade, which is duplicating tracks, adding platforms and providing new train stabling.<\/p>\n
Ensuring drivers are able to safely operate on the V\/ Line network takes considerable time and effort from the trainees and training department.<\/p>\n
Trainees are required to undertake a combination of aptitude tests, interviews and psychometric assessments before starting.<\/p>\n
They then move into the classroom and learn the basics of operating regional trains using two simulators located at V\/Line\u2019s driver training facility in Docklands.<\/p>\n
Driver training is delivered to meet the requirements of a Certificate IV in Train Driving, while also ensuring route familiarity and specific skills needed to operate fast trains up to 160kmh.<\/p>\n
About 19.5 million passenger journeys were recorded on the V\/Line rail network in 2017\/18, 1.5 million more than the previous 12 months.<\/p>\n
Passenger journeys across the V\/Line train and coach network have increased 6.3 million or 47.7 per cent in the five years from June 2013 to June 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe regional rail network is growing fast and the Andrews Labor Government is investing billions in new trains, tracks, stations and signals to provide a modern and efficient network,\u201d Ms Horne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo run more trains, more often we need to recruit new train drivers on the V\/Line network \u2013 and that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese newest V\/Line trainee drivers will help deliver the services that Victorians need to stay connected, access jobs and essential services.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MORE than 100 trainee train drivers are hitting the rails as part of a recruitment drive to improve regional rail services on the V\/Line network. Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne last week welcomed the latest batch of 10 new V\/Line driver trainees. The latest additions bring the total number of V\/ Line driver trainees […]<\/p>\n