ANIMAL strikes are the main reason for a number of recent reduced services across the state which has impacted Ballarat commuters, says V/Line.
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It comes as one particular peak hour service has found itself reduced from six carriages to three on numerous occasions in recent weeks.
The 4.54pm service from Southern Cross to Wendouree has run at half capacity on February 11, 15, 19, 21, 28, March 1, 5, and 6 as train problems across the network have seen reductions in carriages.
It is understood the Monday-Friday service which runs direct to Bacchus Marsh traditionally does not run to full capacity when it has six carriages which has often meant it had become one of the first to be reduced should there be a problem somewhere in the state and another set of carriages is needed.
Throughout February, V/Line recorded 107 animal strikes across the state, with 84 of these requiring the train to be removed from service to be fixed. Maintenance can take between one and seven days to complete, and average about two days.
V/line also faces ongoing rolling stock shortages due to regular maintenance requirements every month. It's current carriage numbers are enough to run full trains provided there are no dramas on any lines.
A V/Line spokesperson confirmed animal strikes had been the biggest issue faced across the state in the past few weeks.
“We’ve recently experienced a spate of animal strikes, which is causing a shortage of VLocity carriages across the network,” he said.
“We understand these capacity reductions are frustrating for our passengers and we apologise when this happens.
“All efforts are made to minimise the impact on our passengers in peak periods.”
The design of the V/Line VLocity trains is also seen as an issue as their connectivity means single carriages cannot be added to services. The designs of the cars mean trains must run at three or six carriages.
The State Government has ordered 87 new VLocity carriages, of which 75 have already been delivered.
An additional order will also be placed for 54 extra VLocity carriages to ease the squeeze over the coming period of time while a new timetable which include changes to services running to Deer Park will come into effect on March 31.
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