Users give verdict on new service. Mixed on fast rail

Andrew Mathieson
Passengers have given a mixed response to Geelong’s new fast rail service.
New high-speed Vlocity trains began running between Geelong and Melbourne this week after repeated delays and a budget blowout 10 times above State Govern-ment’s initial estimate.
V/Line launched its flagship express train on Monday as part of 38 extra weekly services for Geelong.
The service departs from Marshall via Geelong station at 6.50am, arrives in Melbourne an hour later and returns from Spencer Street at 5.29pm.
The timetable said the express service was about 15 minutes quicker than other peak-hour services on weekdays.
However, express service users gave mixed reviews.
Maria Smith was unimpressed with the new service, labelling it a waste of money.
“To make it worthwhile, at least it should get to Melbourne 20 minutes earlier,” she said.
“The fastest trains in the off peak times don’t benefit the people who have to go to work anyway.”
Damian Christou said the morning service still did not have enough carriages for commuters, forcing passengers to stand.
“It takes 45 minutes (from Geelong) to travel up and 45 minutes to travel back but I think I’d rather catch an old locomotive and sit down for an hour and 10 minutes,” he said.
Mr Christou wanted more express services urgently.
“There’s not enough of them,” he said.
“Initially I was reading up there was going to be a lot more services during the week but there really is only the one new one in the morning and in the evening.”
V/Line chief executive officer Rob Barnett said he was committed to improving the service after expecting teething problems.
“V/Line is responding operationally by monitoring capacity and, as appropriate, putting in place measures to manage the need for extra capacity.”