Boom gate fault means another frustrating evening on the Geelong rail line

V/LINE trains on the Geelong line were halted for an hour last night due to a faulty boom gate at North Shore.

And at least two trains were cancelled.

Trains resumed just before 6pm but commuters were still reporting long delays.

It was more grim news for V/Line, which failed its punctuality target for the 25th consecutive month in November.

The State Government says it is doing all it can to facilitate a turnaround.

The November rate of 90.5 per cent on-time was up on the 88.2 per cent mark for October, but again short on the 92 per cent target, while cancellation and reliability rates were also slightly up.

A V/Line spokesman said while the punctuality rate was above the 12-month rolling average of 88.2 per cent on-time, the organisation realised it had failed once again and was working hard to resolve the issue.

“The improved on-time performance of Geelong line trains in November was a positive, but it’s still short of the level our passengers deserve and expect,” he said in a statement.

“We are working hard to address the issues contributing to delays and cancellations, so we can provide a better service for passengers on all our corridors.”

The main reasons for delays to Geelong line services last month were trains stopping longer than the time allocated in the timetable, train faults, signal faults and trespassers.

Carriage shortages were blamed on animal strikes, and cancellations numbered 4.8 per cent, or 137 of 2831 scheduled services, down from October’s 5.9 per cent.

A spokeswoman for the Public Transport Minister, Melissa Horne, said Geelong line upgrades now in progress would help solve faults and overall punctuality.

“We know how frustrating it can be when your train is late. That’s why we appointed CEO of Public Transport Victoria Jeroen Weimar to V/Line to ensure the regional operator is working closer than ever before with Metro to boost maintenance and performance,” she said. “We’re delivering the Geelong line upgrade, which will improve reliability and punctuality on our biggest corridor.”

Mr Weimar was appointed to the role four months ago, but the Government has not said when services can be expected to improve.