Metro just misses March punctuality target
Metro’s performance results for March have been released confirming it again exceeded the delivery target, but has fallen short of achieving the punctuality target.
The number of trains running on time in March was 87.67 per cent, just below the 88 per cent required by the Victorian Government under Metro's Franchise Agreement. But the number of services delivered was 98.50 per cent, exceeding the 98 per cent target.
Metro CEO Andrew Lezala said increased maintenance requirements and a shortage of stabling facilities for new trains had affected performance last month.
But Mr Lezala said the opening of the $220 million state-of-the-art Craigieburn Train Stabling and Maintenance Facility ahead of the introduction of the new timetable on April 22, now enabled Metro to implement world’s best practice in maintaining the fleet.
“Every time we introduce new services, we’re relying on our trains to run extra kilometres. With that comes increased maintenance requirements and at Cragieburn we’re maintaining trains which run across the network,” he said.
Mr Lezala said while it was disappointing to have just missed the punctuality target in March, the number of trains running on time had significantly improved in the second half of the month.
“The maintenance facility at Craigieburn is only now coming on stream, and it’s been difficult to maintain all the fleet through this transition period,” he said.
“But now that it is in use, we’ve seen our performance lift over the past couple of weeks and our 28-day rolling average shows we’re now achieving 89.9 per cent of all services running on time.
“It will be fully up and running for the start of the new timetable on April 22 when we add another 353 services to the network.”
About Metro’s performance targets
Metro’s performance thresholds are to run at least 98 per cent of trains each month and for more than 88 per cent of these services to be punctual.
The government has applied a tougher measurement system under Metro’s contract for delivery and punctuality. For example, a train that bypasses the city loop or doesn’t reach its final destination now contributes to the cancellation rate, whereas under the previous contract it was counted as a full service.
The definition of an on-time train has also changed, reducing from the previous threshold of five minutes and 59 seconds to the current, shorter threshold of four minutes and 59 seconds.
A 28-day rolling average of Metro’s service delivery and punctuality figures can be viewed online at metrotrains.com.au
