The Victorian Government’s new rail contact with Metro is set to come into effect at the end of November 2017, improving train services in Regional Victoria.
The new contract will ensure regional passengers get a fairer deal with better management of shared tracks thanks to tighter performance targets for delays and train management in the metropolitan network.
Regional lines sharing the metropolitan network will benefit from more funding for maintenance of the network as part of a stronger contract with Metro Trains that puts passengers first.
The new contracts come into force 30 November 2017, with a 37 per cent increase in funding towards maintenance on the metropolitan network and tougher performance targets.
The improvements are expected to have flow on benefits to passengers that rely on regional services, with a new signalling interface and communications link to better integrate Metro and V/Line signallers.
This will ensure regional trains are closely managed by Metro when travelling through the metropolitan network to provide a more reliable pathway to their destination.
Victorian Public Transport Minister, Jacinta Allan, said the new contracts will benefit all Victorians.
“The new contract with Metro will deliver better maintenance in areas where regional and metropolitan services share the track.”
The State Government is continuing upgrades across the state under the $1.57 billion Regional Rail Revival in partnership with the Commonwealth Government.
This work will deliver vital upgrades to every regional line, delivering more services, vital infrastructure upgrades and hundreds of new jobs across Victoria.
