Moreland Council in July 2018 considered a report on early termination of train services at Coburg (Short shunting) and resolved the importance of “early adoption of the Upfield Rail Line duplication/extension project, as described in the Victorian Rail Network Development Plan, as part of any advocacy actions developed as part of the new Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy.”
from Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11 July 2018.
DCI21/18 Upfield Railway Line – Early service terminations at Coburg (Response to General Business Item) (D18/100937)
At the March 2018 Council meeting, the issue of Upfield Line trains performing unscheduled service terminations at Coburg Railway Station and returning to the city was raised (GB6/18), with Council resolving that Council:
- Notes that the practice of terminating Upfield line trains at Coburg station disadvantages passengers living in the north of Moreland and makes it difficult to get a large shift in modes of transport from cars to public transport and cycling.
- Receives a report on the train services on the Upfield Line, detailing the operational performance of the service including percentage of trains on time, cancelled, short-shunted.
Consequently, detailed data was sought from Public Transport Victoria (PTV) regarding the number of occasions, and the reason for, early service termination, or shortshunting, occurred on the Upfield Railway Line for the first quarter of 2018. Earlier data of service termination (on a broad scale), was obtained from the performance statistics published on PTV’s website.
The data shows that in the first quarter of 2018 there were 91 service terminations for a range of reasons. Of the scheduled 9,557 services on the Upfield line in that period, this represents 99.02% of the scheduled services being delivered. In terms of punctuality, 91.62% operated on time for the period in question.
Every quarter, the operator, Metro Trains (MTM) must:
- Deliver at least 98% of the timetable;
- Ensure that at least 92% of trains arrive at their destination no later than 4 minutes and 59 seconds after the scheduled time.
The performance targets have been met for reliability but not punctuality, and therefore, the operator, MTM, would incur a financial penalty based upon the terms of the current franchise agreement, effective from 30 November 2017. The performance standards in the previous franchise agreement were less stringent than those currently prevailing.
While unscheduled service terminations impact on the community, some are unavoidable, but could benefit from improved mitigation measures. Additionally, long term rail investment in the north of the Upfield Rail Line will improve train reliability.
Officer Recommendation
That Council:
1. Notes the report regarding Upfield Railway Line early service terminations at Coburg, in response to GB6/18.
2. Includes campaigning for the provision of demand-responsive rail replacement bus services and the early adoption of the Upfield Rail Line duplication/extension project, as described in the Victorian Rail Network Development Plan, as part of any advocacy actions developed as part of the new Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy.
Resolution
Cr Bolton moved, Cr Irfanli seconded –
That Council:
- Notes the report regarding Upfield Railway Line early service terminations at Coburg, in response to GB6/18.
- Includes campaigning for the provision of demand-responsive rail replacement bus services and that if a rail replacement bus isn’t available, late-running trains not terminate at Coburg but complete the service to Upfield and the early adoption of the Upfield Rail Line duplication/extension project, as described in the Victorian Rail Network Development Plan, as part of any advocacy actions developed as part of the new Moreland Integrated Transport Strategy.
Carried
The Officer report on Short shunting at Coburg: DCI21/18 UPFIELD RAILWAY LINE – EARLY SERVICE TERMINATIONS AT COBURG (RESPONSE TO GENERAL BUSINESS ITEM) (D18/100937)
Upgrade Upfield Line 