Train travellers

CONNEX left an increasing number of rail commuters waiting on Pakenham line platforms throughout March.
Only 69.7 per cent of trains on the Pakenham line were on time and two-and-a-half per cent didn’t arrive at all, according to the company’s March performance results.
Pakenham line commuters fared worse than most – Connex delivered 98.7 per cent of services across the network and 86.5 per cent were on time.
Because the March on-time performance was less than 88 per cent, each customer who used a monthly, six-monthly or yearly ticket on the train system in March is eligible for two free daily tickets for the equivalent zone/s as compensation.
Connex blamed a 30km speed restriction it introduced on all Siemens trains approaching stations.
The speed restriction was imposed in early March and will be in place while the company investigates the cause of a small number of station overshoots that occurred earlier this year.
Connex executive chairman Jonathan Metcalfe said the company knew when it imposed the 30km speed restriction that it would have an impact on on-time performance.
“However, the safe running of our trains is our utmost priority,” he said.
“While reliability suffered during January and February, we are very pleased to see train reliability improve dramatically throughout March, as a direct result of the very positive progress now being made in our negotiations with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.”
Eligible customers can apply for two daily tickets as compensation by filling out a compensation form available at staffed stations or at the following website:
Connexmelbourne.com.au