V/Line’s annual performance review for 2014-15 has revealed a mixed set of results, with the service narrowly missing several key performance indicator requirements.
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Central to the findings is an overall punctuality rating at a healthy 95.7 per cent – up from 95.3 per cent in 2013-14 for services outside the metro network, including commuter and long-distance services on time to 5 and 10 minutes respectively.
The punctuality rating excels V/Line’s target of 92 per cent of trains arriving within six minutes of their scheduled time.
However, commuter services on time to 5 minutes ran at just 89.4 per cent (up from 87.5 in the previous financial year), while long distance services inside on time to 10 minutes ran at 91.3 per cent – up from 87.6 per cent.
The Ballarat line, alongside other regional services, has experienced a significant increase in patronage in recent years, with passenger numbers rising 19.1 per cent since 2010.
More than 3.36 million took the Ballarat line last financial year, up from 3.17 million in 2013-14.
Customer satisfaction also remained steady for V/Line, with findings compiled by Public Transport Victoria recording an index rating of 71.9 for trains last year, exceeding the target of 68 and up from 70.3 in the year 2013-14.
Coach satisfaction was also recorded at a healthy 77.1.
Despite the generally favourable review, the service has struggled since the official introduction of the Regional Rail Link system in June and is yet to record a punctuality rating in the 90 per cent range for the Ballarat line since the RRL’s inception.
September’s performance indicators show a marginal improvement in punctuality, however, the percentage of trains arriving “on time” still sits well below the 92 per cent mark, with Ballarat’s punctuality recorded at 87.1 per cent for September, up from 85.4 per cent in August.
Additional carriages to the line appear to be easing overcrowding on runs to Melbourne, with only two daily services capped at 100 per cent, according to the most recent capacity findings.
However, the two services in question, the 6.13am Wendouree to Southern Cross and the 7.39am Wendouree to Southern Cross remain a continual disappointment for Ballarat commuters, while services from Melbourne to Ballarat remain overcrowded, with six out 14 daily runs at 100 per cent capacity.
