Opposition critical of rail delays and lack of freight

POOR punctuality of VLine on the Ballarat line and no firm details on an upgraded freight track though the city were the focus of State opposition criticism on Monday.

Speaking at Ballarat Station, shadow minister for public transport, David Davis was scathing of performance on the line.

“VLine trains across the system are not performing reliably or punctually,” he said. “Only one month, out of the last 12 has the line at its punctuality targets.

“Commuters deserve reliable, comfortable, safe and punctual trains, and they’re getting none of that.”

In response Minister for Public Transport, Melissa Horne, defended the government’s record on the Ballarat Line.

“While the Liberals continue to talk down regional rail, we’re investing half a billion dollars in the Ballarat Line to deliver more frequent and reliable services,” she said. “We are also adding more VLocity carriages to the Ballarat line, providing more seats on the busiest services.

“Reliability on the Ballarat line in August was 96 per cent, meeting the target. Ballarat line punctuality was 89.5 per cent in August. This is the second highest result on the line for punctuality this year.”

Member for Ripon and shadow treasurer, Louise Staley, was critical about the progress on improved rail freight opportunities through the city.

Know as the Freight-Passenger Rail Separation Project and announced mid-2018, the $130 million works would see broad-gauge passenger separated from standard-gauge freight tracks, the rails under the Armstrong Street North bridge duplicated and improved signalling.

“I’ve been asking in the parliament for an update on the project… and I’ve had no answers at all from Jacinta Allan. She’s entirely silent,” Ms Staley said. “I’m starting to think that’s another country project that has been abandoned by this government.”

Minister Horne said the Freight-Passenger Rail Separation Project was still going ahead and was part of larger infrastructure upgrades in Western Victoria.

“The Rail Freight Separation Project works were being planned to be conducted as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project,” she said. “The government is now discussions with the Commonwealth about the future stages of Murray Basin Rail and that includes these works.”