The new Metro timetable begins this Sunday, with a total of 211 new and extended weekly services being added across the network.This is the first phase of Metro’s plan to address crowding and reliability issues by adding more services and simplifying the timetable to reduce train congestion and knock-on delays.The new timetable – the first since Metro took control of the network last year – includes 171 new and 40 extended services per week including 70 new peak services across the network.
The changes focus mostly on the Pakenham/Cranbourne and Frankston lines, but significant improvements have also been made to the Craigieburn (to accommodate the opening of the new station at Coolaroo) and Hurstbridge lines, as well as minor changes to other lines.Acting Metro CEO Raymond O’Flaherty said the new timetable is designed to boost on-time performance through some simple changes to train stopping patterns and the removal of some services from the City Loop.“Adding more services, particularly during the peaks, will help to reduce overcrowding which we know is a real concern for our customers,” said Mr O’Flaherty.“Improving train punctuality is an area we’re focussed on, and these changes will help to remove bottlenecks in and around the loop that can cause knock-on delays.“Step by step, we’ll be moving Melbourne’s train system to a metro style operation, which means more consistent stopping patterns and evenly spaced services so that we can deliver more frequent, faster and more reliable services.”Mr O’Flaherty said adding the extra services was possible due to the new trains being delivered as part of the Victorian Transport Plan.“We have more flexibility with our train fleet thanks to the new X’Trapolis trains now operating on the network, and the rollout of the remainder of the 38 new X’Trapolis trains will continue.“To accommodate the boosted train fleet, we’re delivering new train maintenance facilities, building ‘turnbacks’ that enable trains to make additional runs to the city, hiring more drivers and enhancing the reliability of power supplies to power the trains.“Our aim is to transform the network so that we can transport more people, more often, with fewer cancellations and less delays, but this is not an overnight process. It takes time to do an important job, and do it well.”Copies of the new timetabe can be picked up now from premium stations, or downloaded from metrotrains.com.au