Council
24 October, 2024
MP calls for answers on carriage reduction
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has called for answers behind the decision to reduce the number of carriages operating on the Warrnambool Line from later this year.
The reduction in capacity when new VLocity trains arrive in the region later this year will see services on the line drop from five carriages to three, removing around 180 seats from operation.
V/Line has cited the reduction as a necessity due to platforms being deemed too short.
The announcement made waves on social media in September, with a petition launched calling on the Victorian Government to match or exceed the capacity and amenities when the new VLocity trains arrive on the line later this year.
Ms Britnell raised her concerns on the issue through a constituency question in Parliament last Tuesday, seeking information from Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson on the circumstances surrounding the decision and when the necessity was first identified.
“When was it first identified that the train platforms on the Warrnambool line are too short to accommodate a six-carriage VLocity train, which is the same capacity as our existing N-class train service?” she said.
“The government’s upgrade is a downgrade, as they plan to run three-carriage VLocity trains at half the seating capacity with no buffet car.
“For long trips this is inadequate, particularly for people with special dietary needs like diabetics.
“Disability groups are concerned about the safety of disabled people standing for three-plus hours.”
Ms Britnell said the reduction in services was a source of disappointment for travellers who had been awaiting modernisation efforts to arrive in the south west.
“After waiting for more than seven years the community are extremely disappointed to realise they have been duped,” she said.
“This is due to the government’s lack of planning for increased demand, capacity, safety and amenity.
“The VLocity trains should at least match the amenity and capacity of the current service.”
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