Metro Trains pockets $6 million in bonuses, despite missing half its punctuality targets in one year

Metro Trains has pocketed $6 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses, despite missing half its punctuality targets in a single year.

Metro Trains has pocketed $6 million in taxpayer-funded bonuses, despite missing half its punctuality targets in a single year.

Public Transport Victoria revealed that the big bonuses today, as it detailed improved performance across the networks.

Both Metro Trains and Yarra Trams signed seven-year contracts in 2017 that lifted their performance targets, but also introduced “carrot and stick”-style penalties and bonuses.

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Metro Trains reached its 92 per cent punctuality target in six of the 12 months from November 2017 to November 2018.

Metro Trains has improved its punctuality. Picture: Eugene Hyland

The operator was hit with about $750,000 in penalties but pocketed $6 million in bonuses from a possible $13.75 million pool.

Yarra Trams missed its target — 82 per cent — five times over the same year.

It was slapped with penalties totalling about $300,000 but was rewarded with more than $1 million.

It missed out on more than $4 million in bonuses.

PTV chief executive Jeroen Weimar said there had been a significant improvement in train and tram services over the year.

“The tougher contracts that we set up significantly raised the bar in terms of the performance that the state now expects from Metro and Yarra Trams,” he said.

“There is a combination of carrot and stick in those contracts. We are targeting the sticks in those areas where we really want to see performance improve.

“There are also bonuses to incentivise them to go beyond the 92 per cent and 82 per cent (punctuality targets) and we are pleased to see that they are responding accordingly.”

Public Transport CEO Jeroen Weimar. Picture: Alison Wynd

The new figures show that train faults on the metropolitan network are down by a fifth, with infrastructure issues also reduced by 30 per cent.

Cancellations and short shunting, where services do not complete their route, across the tram network have also dropped by a quarter over the past 12 months.

It comes as 85 per cent of the tram fleet is set to be refurbished over the coming years.

“We are seeing a reduction in infrastructure faults, we’re seeing a reduction in cancellations, we’re seeing a reduction in train faults,” Mr Weimar said.

“We’ve also had a real focus on improving the cleanliness, maintenance and upkeep of our network.

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Since January last year, a team of mystery shoppers have also been surveying passenger experiences across the network as part of the new government contracts with Yarra Trams and Metro.

An independent survey of customer satisfaction found commuters were happier with their services since new contracts had been introduced.

Both operators were signed on to seven-year contracts in 2017 on the condition they agree to higher performance targets for punctuality and reliability.

Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne said: “After just the first year of the new contracts we’re already seeing significant improvements across the network.”

“Passengers have told us they want to see cleaner trains and stations, more reliable services, more timely and accurate information and less graffiti and that’s what these contracts are delivering.”

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