New data shows Melbourne’s worst train lines

STUCK waiting for the train again? An analysis of the state’s public transport performance data has revealed the most unreliable line in Victoria. See if it is yours or whether you could be worse off.

NEW transport data has revealed Frankston as the least reliable line in the state.

The new report, which analysed train performance from 2001 to this year, found commuters on the Frankston, Pakenham, Cranbourne and Lilydale lines endured the most cancellations and delays.

The Frankston line has had a total of 862 cancellations — or an average of 72 a month — in the past year, earning the status of the state’s worst performer.

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The issue is well known to regular commuters, with the Frankston line suffering the highest number of cancellations over the past decade despite not ranking among the busiest lines in the network.

More than 9500 trains have been cancelled along the line over the past 10 years.

Other lines also fared poorly.

On the Cranbourne line, an average of nearly 52 services a month were forced to bypass the CityLoop over the past year.

Trains on the Lilydale line had the highest number of shortened services, with nearly 1700 journeys cut short over the past year.

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New transport data has revealed Frankston as the least reliable line in the state. Picture: AAP/Mal Fairclough

More than 760 trains bypassed the City Loop on the Pakenham line, with a further 602 services shortened and more than 500 others cancelled.

Pakenham commuters also suffered the worst punctuality, with 13 per cent of trains not arriving on time.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said poor infrastructure meant some lines suffered “more than their fair share of problems”.

“We know there’s been a long period of neglect along our train network,” he said.

“It’s now about fixing the train network and bringing it into the 21st century.”

Melbourne’s tram lines were also in the firing line. Route 64, which runs from Brighton East to Melbourne University, was singled out after recording the highest rate of cancellations over the past 12 months.

The line had more than 800 scheduled services cancelled.

The state’s tram network also recorded its highest cancellation rate over the past decade between January of 2017-18, with just under 1 per cent of services cancelled.