Public Transport Victoria (PTV) has published its performance results for the month of August, which saw an expansion metropolitan train network services.
Metro Train Melbourne delivered 91.6 per cent of services on-time in August, slightly below its monthly target of 92 per cent, while overall service reliability remained high at 98.5 per cent.
A new metropolitan train timetable was released last month and the Mernda rail extension opened, leading to 190 new services every week and hundreds of extended services across Melbourne’s north, west and south east.
“With the official opening of the Mernda line extension, passengers using the new Hawkstowe, Middle Gorge and Mernda stations now have access to 982 services to the city every week,” PTV CEO Jeroen Weimar said.
The new Mernda Line performed above the target figure – with 92.6 per cent of its services running on-time. The worst performer was the Pakenham Line, with 87.1 per cent running to schedule.
“August also saw a major construction blitz across the network, with a significant focus along the Pakenham and Cranbourne rail lines, as we work hard to improve infrastructure and reliability along this busy corridor.”
In August, Yarra Trams exceeded their punctuality target of 82 per cent, for a third consecutive month with 84.8 per cent of trams arriving on-time. At 98.9 per cent, they also delivered above their 98.5 per cent reliability target for an eighth successive month.
Regional train operator V/Line delivered its the highest punctuality result in 10 months, with 86.9 per cent of services arriving on time, up 1.7 per cent on the same month in 2017. Reliability was also up to 96.8 per cent, V/Line’s highest reliability result since May, with performance improved or maintained on nine of the 12 regional lines.
“We’ve been working really hard to improve our performance across the network so it’s really pleasing to see this is being reflected in the results,” V/Line CEO James Pindar said.
“This is the third consecutive month of improvements in punctuality on both these lines and the highest results since October last year.
“Through the work of our new performance managers, we’re focused on ensuring this continues and working hard to achieve our 92 per cent punctuality target.”
As in June and July, the worst performing regional line was the Bairnsdale Line with 64.2 per cent of its train services running on-time.