At its peak since January 14, almost 360 V/Line trains were cancelled every week, including many on the Ballarat line.

The committee heard rail replacement coaches that cost up to $2.7 million a week until March 21, are now costing $1.7 million a week, and from April 26 will still cost $500,000 a week.

Mentioned at the hearing was also the substantial cost of reimbursing passengers entitled to free coach (and at one stage rail) travel. However, the CEOs failed to expand on the cost of new axle counters to ensure V/Line rail cars triggered boom barriers properly at level crossings on three lines other than Ballarat (previously estimated at $23 million), replacement or remachining of more than 1000 train wheels, the tearing up and replacement of tracks on the North Melbourne rail flyover, ongoing lubrication by hand of sharp curves at North Melboune and Sunshine among others and the costs to Metro Trains Melbourne of having its special equipment used by V/Line at depots like Craigieburn.

With the State Budget to be delivered soon, it beggars belief that PTV and V/Line do not supposedly have an idea as to what financial exposure they expect taxpayers to be hit with. Contractors also need payment within the agreed time frame, irrespective as to whether PTV and V/Line are still talking with railcar manufacturer, Bombardier to see what proportion of total costs it should bear.

While the monetary cost to Victorians of this rail debacle in train-related costs is likely to be well north of $50 million, we have yet to hear a satisfactory explanation from Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan (who continues to refuse to appear before the Infrastructure Committee), and Premier Daniel Andrews as to why the Labor Government sat on its hands from June 21, when Regional Rail Link had its delayed opening, and the rate at which the train wheel flanges wore down increased.

Jacinta Allan has failed to accept responsibility for these huge V/Line problems that have cost Ballarat, Ballan, Creswick and Daylesford residents lost time with family and friends, earnings losses and higher stress levels from their daily rail or road commuting.

It is time Jacinta Allan offered her resignation or was sacked, or had her resignation accepted, by Daniel Andrews.

- David Hodgett, MP

I AM writing to respond to WardM 's comments "Culture Clash Call".  19th Century BLING|Goldfields jewellery is attracting national media attention because of the unknown story about the innovation, design and fashion in Australia in the second half of the 1800s.

The BLING exhibition is about the physical, economic, social and cultural impact of the goldrushes in Australia. This exhibition, with its accompanying 160 page catalogue, provides new scholarship on this important part of Australia's history.

It is a substantial contribution to the cultural heritage of Victoria and Australia. M.A.D.E focuses on finding ways to make the important history of the Eureka Stockade come alive, particularly for younger audiences. The jewellery that was made first in Ballarat using the miners' tools of the trade, probably started a trend that went around Australia and overseas. This jewellery actually reflected the turmoil going on in the goldfields about overturning the old power structure. I suggest you come to M.A.D.E and see for yourself.

- Jane Smith, M.A.D.E. Ballarat