V/Line has ‘cemented its position as Australia’s busiest and fastest growing regional rail operator’ following a 7.1% increase in passenger trips in 2010- 11, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced yesterday.
The increase brings the number of passenger trips on V/Line trains to 13.5 million, up from 12.6 million the year before.
The result, contained in V/Line’s 2011-12 Annual Report tabled in State Parliament today, is the sixth consecutive year of record growth for V/Line trains.
“Not since the gold rush era has V/Line played such an important part to the economies and jobs of people who live in regional Victoria and work in Melbourne,” Mr Mulder said.
“V/Line broke rail patronage records every month during 2010-11.
“There are still exciting times ahead for regional Victorians. We added 85 extra services to Wendouree Station in October, Clunes Station is scheduled to open by the end of the year and major work on Regional Rail Link began in July.”
Bus patronage also grew 1.3% with 1.2 million trips during the 2010-11 year. The result brings combined patronage growth to 6.9%, or 14.7 million trips across V/Line trains and buses.
V/Line Chief Executive Officer Rob Barnett said the result was a testament to the new trains, better frequency and competitive prices of recent years.
“In just six years we have completely transformed as a business and the role we play in Victoria,” he said.
“In 2005 our customers told us what they wanted and that was improved frequency and comfort when travelling.
“New VLocity trains, upgraded stations and increased services have now made V/Line the preferred option for tens of thousands of Victorians each day.”
Good stuff .. keep up the good work .. Now need to start looking at increasing the area covered by rail. Start by linking up Bendigo and Geelong.