Chiefs to face inquiry hearing

The leaders of V/Line, Public Transport Victoria and Metro are all expected to meet the request from a parliamentary committee to attend the hearing and respond to questions about the failings of the regional train system. 

It is understood the hearing will occur on February 9. 

The V/Line system has been under huge pressure following yet another collapse of services due to maintenance failings.  These failings have seen services cancelled across the board and is considered one of the final straws for already fed-up commuters. This issue was described by Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan as being caused by” V/Line failing to adequately plan and prepare a maintenance regime to meet the needs of the services provided”. The announcement that the chief executives will face the committee comes only a day after the Greens called for a parliamentary inquiry into the failed services. 

Parliament’s upper house Economy and Infrastructure Committee are conducting the ongoing inquiry, which is chaired by Local MP Joshua Morris. The inquiry has a much broader purpose and looks at  all public sector infrastructure and public works projects, including current and past infrastructure projects and proposals.

Three Labor MPs, three Liberal MPs and one Greens MP make up the committee. 

“I am very keen to hear what the CEOs of V/Line, Public Transport Victoria and Metro have to say about the causes of the significant disruption we have seen,” Mr Morris said. The government has been put under significant pressure due to the failing regional train services, and have been heavily criticised for a lack of action to address the problem. 

The Ballarat line in particular has only achieved failed punctuality results since the Regional Rail Link project was officially launched. 

To combat the most recent wheel maintenance issue V/Line will be providing some free travel to alleviate some of the pain commuters may face.