By ALANA MITCHELSON
Train manufacturer Bombardier has denied responsibility for wheel-wear issues that have thrown Geelong-Melbourne rail services into chaos.
The quality of the wheels on V/Line’s VLocity trains had “nothing to do” with the wearing problem, Bombardier’s Loulou Hammad said.
“We stand by our product and preliminary investigations have ruled out that the wheel wearing could be a manufacturing fault.”
Ms Hammad said Bombardier was responsible for VLocity train maintenance “but we don’t have anything to do with the tracks”.
The problem has forced V/Line to replace some services with buses, extending travel times for commuters.
Public Transport Users Association Geelong branch convenor Paul Westcott said V/Line had identified two ways to reduce the wearing.
“V/Line has reduced the speed of trains around sharply curved bends in the track, especially at the overpass into Southern Cross Station and at the point where the Geelong and Ballarat lines join near Deer Park Station,” he said.
“It’s also been applying grease lubrication to the inner surface of the rail and V/Line says that’s had an effect on wheel wear, so that in itself might give people an indication as to what’s causing the problem.”
Mr Westcott said the results of an investigation into the wearing, to be released in March, should identify who was responsible.
“If it’s found to be an issue with the Regional Rail Link then it would be the responsibility of the Regional Rail Link Authority, which has ceased to function.
“If it’s an issue with the specifications given to the authority, such as lubrication or the shape of the rails, then it would come down to the Department of Transport.
“If the problem is to do with the operational procedure, for example the trains are travelling too fast, then it would be V/Line’s responsibility.
“If it was to do with lack of vigilance concerning maintenance procedures then that could fall on Bombardier or V/Line depending on who communicated what to who and when,” he said.
