Metro delivers performance milestone
Metro has recorded its best April monthly performance for Melbourne’s train network in nearly a decade, with more than 92 per cent of trains running on time.
Performance results for April show 92.2 per cent of trains ran to the timetable and 98.6 per cent of services were delivered.
Metro CEO Andrew Lezala says the performance was a significant milestone.
“This is the best monthly result for Metro since we took over the running of Melbourne’s trains in 2009”, Mr Lezala says.
“We have to go back to April 2003, under our predecessors, to see a better on-time performance where the delivery target of 98 per cent was also met.”
Melbourne’s train network now accommodates 225 million trips a year following the latest timetable change in April. This compares to the 125 million trips per year in 2003.
Punctuality on every train line for April was above the 88 per cent benchmark set by the Government. The Sandringham line was the best performer with more than 97 per cent of services both delivered and on time.
“We’ve introduced a new timetable that’s working extremely well, particularly on weekends,” he says.
“Customers on our busiest railway corridors can now turn up to the station before the footy or a trip to the city on a weekend knowing they’ll wait no longer than 10 minutes for the next train.”
Metro is currently implementing a range of techniques to accommodate the introduction of the second new greenfields timetable. During times of disruption this has resulted in some services skipping stations, predominantly in the period following the morning peak and in the lead up to afternoon peak.
Mr Lezala says this is done to ensure that the majority of trains are in position for the peak to accommodate the high numbers of customers travelling during those times.
“We understand that some people have been inconvenienced at times by our service changes, but we can reassure all of our customers that we will not randomly change their service on a regular basis. This is about catering for the majority of users, particularly during peak times,” he says.
“This approach is only used in extreme circumstances and we will continue to refine it as we bed down the new timetable.”
About Metro’s performance targets
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
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.
