Ombudsman gives passengers more time for transport compo
Commuters are entitled to a free tram trip after Yarra Trams failed to meet its service target last month, but you better get in quick. Here’s how you can claim.
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Yarra Trams passengers will be given extra time to claim compensation in December after an intervention by the public transport watchdog.
The operator did not deliver enough of its scheduled services in the last month of the year and regular customers are now entitled to claim a free trip.
Anyone who has had a Myki pass for 28 days or more and touched on to a tram at least 10 times in December is eligible and can apply online.
But performance results for Yarra Trams were published 10 days late this month, giving commuters less than 10 days to apply for support.
The decision prompted Public Transport Ombudsman Treasure Jennings to ask the company for more time, with the operator agreeing to extend the compensation deadline to February 10.
It comes after Metro Trains failed its punctuality targets in every month of 2019, with new data showing the operator fell just short of its goal in December.
Figures released by the Department of Transport show nearly one in 10 metropolitan trains ran late last month while the company also did not meet its quota for delivering the scheduled timetable.
The results mean the last time Metro was able to deliver 92 per cent of its services on time was in December 2018.
Services in December were impacted by a spike in trespassers who illegally entered train tracks and forced trains to grind to a halt.
Metro chief executive Raymond O’Flaherty said the company had moved 180,000 people to New Year’s Eve celebrations with more than 540 additional services.
“We know our passengers deserve better – that’s why we are working harder than ever to turn the dial on performance, meet our targets, and deliver a more consistent service for Melbourne,” he said.
“December performance was impacted by a number of incidents, including several days of extreme heat and wind, resulting in speed restrictions and trees falling across rail lines.”
Jeroen Weimar, the Department of Transport’s head of transport services, said December was a busy month for a network but operators were still expected to meet their targets.
“Metro Trains was faced with many challenges in December but we’re still looking for them to improve their performance to ensure our passengers get the reliable service they deserve,” he said.
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Yarra Trams met its punctuality target but fell below its goal for reliability after tram strikes on December 5 and multiple bridge strikes at rail bridges.
“It is the responsibility of drivers to know the height of their vehicle and plan their journey accordingly to prevent avoidable disruptions on our roads and public transport network,” Mr Weimar said.