Metro trains struggling to meet punctuality targets, failing for the tenth straight month
For the tenth consecutive month, Metro trains has failed to deliver enough on-time trains around Melbourne, with more than 6000 services running late in just one month.
VIC News
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Metro trains has failed its punctuality target for 10 consecutive months, with new results showing the company hasn’t met its goal since 2018.
October performance results for operators found Melbourne’s trains and tram networks are still struggling to match tough new targets built into contracts signed in 2017.
Metro delivered just 90.3 per cent of its services on time after more than 6190 trains ran late in one month.
But the result was just above the threshold that would force the company to offer customer compensation.
It comes just a week after new train timetables were announced that will slow down services on 93 weekday services on the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Dandenong lines.
The department of transport’s head of transport services, Jeroen Weimar, said they were still working to improve results for passengers.
“We understand passengers are frustrated when trains don’t arrive on time,” he said.
“That’s why we are pleased to see Metro Train’s improvement on its October performance, and we remain focused on ensuring this continues to improve.”
“There is strong collaboration between the Department, Metro Trains and Victoria Police to prevent illegal behaviours and catch those who vandalise the network and delay our passengers.”
Commuters were disrupted by a series of copper wire thefts, trespassers on train tracks and several rail bridges being struck by trucks.
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Protests across the CBD also impacted Yarra Trams operations, with nearly a fifth of all services failing to keep the timetable.
“We respect everyone’s right to protest but it’s important that those organising the protests work with us to avoid inconveniencing hundreds of thousands of passengers,” Mr Weimar said.
About 87 per cent of V/Line services ran on time in October and the regional rail operator delivered 96.1 per cent of its scheduled services.