V/LINE has recorded one of its most punctual months on record on the Ballarat line as capacity of trains drops more than 90 per cent since the advent of stage three and four restrictions.
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The Ballarat line has recorded its second-best month since The Courier started recording data in 2016 with a 95.1 per cent punctuality, meaning the vast majority of trains ran within five minutes and 59 seconds of their scheduled time throughout the month of July.
The only time in the past four years punctuality has been this high was in April - at the start of the first lockdown - where trains ran at 96 per cent.
Since the COVID-19 lockdown began, the Ballarat line has slowly risen from 89.9 per cent punctuality in February and 92.1 per cent in March. April's peak was followed by 93.7 per cent in May and 92.3 per cent in June.
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The July statistics come as the Department of Transport releases statistics showing a dramatic fall off of travelling numbers in the past two weeks since stage three restrictions were introduced in regions and stage four came into place in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire.
The Department of Transport has released regional statistics for both midweek (August 5) and a weekend (August 9).
On August 5, it says regional travel was at nine per cent of usual capacity, while on August 9 it claims trains ran at just five per cent of usual capacity across regional Victoria.
It said across the state's public transport network it is seeing patronage reduce by more than 90 per cent compared to usual levels. In comparison, the state's road usage by around 55 per cent.
"It's pleasing to see that the large majority of people are doing the right thing and staying home - if we keep it up, we will get through this," A Department of Transport spokesman said.
"Regional trains will continue to run to the normal timetable to support essential trips by permitted workers and those seeking or providing urgent care."
The spokesperson also said that there would be no planned reduction in vehicle numbers on any regional line, but clarified by saying night coaches would run between Ballarat and Melbourne for the duration of the stage four restrictions in the city.
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