Geelong’s V/Line trains: Overcrowding, delays cause headaches for passengers

Some V/Line customers have been forced to stay in the toilet for their entire journey because of extreme overcrowding. TAKE OUR POLL

Billy Deikos only travels using public transport, and has spoken about the overcrowding and delays on V/Line trains. Picture: Mark Wilson

Some V/Line passengers have spent their entire journey trapped in a train toilet they’ve been forced into and unable to leave because of severe overcrowding, according to reports.

For months, travellers to and from Geelong have experienced major delays and packed carriages because of road and rail works as part of state government works.

Fares are also lower due to fare caps, which observers say has lead to more people using public transport.

Grovedale resident Billy Deikos said his train journey into Melbourne could at times blow out to three hours.

“It’s quite horrendous,” the 55-year-old, who only travels via public transport, said.

“Our city’s growing, and we need to have the infrastructure to support it.

“Trains have been getting a lot busier, because it’s $10 (no matter where you travel in the state) and we’ve seen massive increases in patronage. The sad truth is that it’s never-ending.”

Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) Geelong branch convener Paul Westcott said the combination of service disruptions, lower fares, and V/Line carriages having three cars instead of a possible six was creating the “very frustrating” situation.

He said the lobby group had predicted the overcrowding issues when the fare caps were announced.

Billy Deikos only travels using public transport, and has spoken about the overcrowding and delays faced on V/Line trains. Picture: Mark Wilson

“They’ve given the cart before the horse,” he said.
“The cost of travel is not a major factor of people travelling – it’s the number of services, or lack thereof.”

Mr Westcott said the overcrowding was happening in off-peak times and weekends, with reports of individuals stuck in the toilet for a whole journey because they couldn’t physically get out.

He said there were also concerns around passengers relying on standing room on V/Line trains.

“Country lines, they’re not designed for standing,” he said.

“It’s uncomfortable but there’s a safety factor as well – you don’t have (handles) for people to hold.

“It’s about time something is done.”

Mr Deikos said he was aware some people got stuck in the bathroom, and that he sometimes had to squeeze into or under luggage racks.

“It’s mind boggling,” he said.

“It makes matters worse that you’ve got the Big Build and sporting events.

“With the Commonwealth Games in a couple of years, it’s going to be a major embarrassment if we can’t get people to events.

“For goodness sake, get the infrastructure in.”

A V/Line spokesman said capacity of two Warrnambool trains, which operate via the Geelong line, was reduced from five to four carriages at the weekend.

“The comfort and safety of passengers is our number one priority and we have been regularly making adjustments, including adding extra services and carriages where we can, and having coaches on standby to help support network demand,” the spokesman said.

He said urgent repairs were being completed on the carriages to return them to service.

Disruptions to some Geelong and Warrnambool line services are expected during July due to upgrade works.

Mr Deikos said if carriages were six cars instead of three, the situation would be a lot better.

He said other transport options, including the bus or ferry, weren’t suitable alternatives because of major issues in the system.

The V/Line spokesman said: “The regional fare cap is continuing to be extremely popular with Victorians, with around five million trips taken on the V/Line network and more than $15 million saved by passengers since the start of the cap.”

Originally published as Geelong’s V/Line trains: Overcrowding, delays cause headaches for passengers