Geelong commuters stranded on stations as V/Line trains abruptly terminate at wrong stations
A Warrnambool train terminating early because it was running out of fuel is just one reason V/Line has given for the state’s regional train chaos.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Warrnambool train terminating early because it was running low on fuel is just one reason V/Line has given for the state’s regional train wreck.
This month so far, there have been 27 services terminated early on the Geelong line and 12 on the Ballarat line, leaving passengers waiting at stations where their cars are not parked.
And in late July, a Warrnambool Line train terminated early due to low fuel, V/Line has confirmed.
Scores of regional trains have started from stations they were not meant to, while many other services have been cancelled altogether.
The regularly changed and cancelled services come just months after Premier Daniel Andrews delivered his pre election promise to regional Victorians of daily fares capped at the metropolitan rate of $9.20 for a weekday full fare.
V/Line said reasons for services changes included “infrastructure works, train faults and trespassers on the track”.
A V/Line spokesman said “every effort” was being made to reduce cancellations on the network and ensure any service changes impacted as few passengers as possible.”
“During August the vast majority of V/Line services have been delivered and we thank passengers who were disrupted for their patience and understanding,” he said.
The disruptions this month represented just a small percentage of the almost 2000 services in the south west corridor and 1605 services in the western corridor, V/Line said.
On occasions when services were unable to run, alternative travel arrangements were made, usually in the form of replacement coaches — or passengers were encouraged to catch the next available service, depending on which was quicker, V/Line said.
The 07:39 Wendouree - Southern Cross service will originate from Ballarat at 07:45 and not Wendouree.
— V/Line Ballarat Line (@vline_ballarat) August 17, 2023
More information at https://t.co/QjMlJmvRTypic.twitter.com/0B6XB8uvi9
The 05:51 Southern Cross - Wendouree service will terminate early at Ballarat and no longer run to Wendouree.
— V/Line Ballarat Line (@vline_ballarat) August 17, 2023
More information at https://t.co/QjMlJmvRTypic.twitter.com/VRh41x1vXf
Nearly 7000 Geelong people commute to Melbourne for employment, with a further 3,700 Melbourne people commuting to Geelong to work.
The chaotic regional train services over the last couple weeks follows shock figures released by V/Line earlier this month revealing that between July 1 and August 1 this year, 299 regional services were cancelled outright, a further 141 services terminated early and 77 services had short departures.
In total, 517 services were thrown into chaos, in just one month.
Geelong services — with 115 services cancelled, 78 terminated early and 50 short departures across the month — were the worst hit.
Social media wellness fads raising risk of unwanted pregnancy
Social media fads are leading young people to risky “alternative” methods of contraception, including weed killer, fruit seeds and even withdrawal as misinformation grows.
‘Defending freedom of speech’: Famed pianist sues MSO
Famed pianist Jayson Gillham has called for donations to fund a legal battle against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra after a performance was cancelled, in what he claims was censorship.