FRESH concerns have been raised about the reliability of V/Line locomotives on the North-East line after two separate breakdowns in less than 24 hours including one which created massive delays for passengers on Wednesday night.
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The Southern Cross to Albury service broke down at Donnybrook and a relief locomotive had to be sent out to return the faulty locomotive and carriages back to Broadmeadows so passengers could board buses.
The breakdown location prevented V/Line from being able to safely remove passengers, resulting in the major delays which the service provider has issued an apology for.
It also meant the early morning Albury to Southern Cross service couldn’t run and passengers had to catch buses.
In an unrelated incident, a train fault was discovered before the 7.05am Southern Cross to Albury service departed on Thursday and again buses were needed.
One of the replacement buses also broke down.
“We will work closely with our maintenance provider to ensure both are investigated to determine the cause,” A V/Line spokesperson said.
“Safety is always V/Line’s No.1 priority so we will not detrain passengers or run a service if it is not safe to do so.
“V/Line encourages anyone who was on board the affected service on Wednesday evening to contact us to receive compensation.”
Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said the breakdowns was proof Labor needed to match the Coalition’s promise to replace the “old clunkers”.
“It’s in black and white, $633 million for brand new trains, faster trains, safer trains, more reliable trains,” he said.
“If we form government in November, they are part of next year’s budget.
“Labor’s public transport minister (Jacinta Allan) waves away our promise and criticism of her lack of action with an aside and continues to blame the tracks.
“Well these have nothing to do with the tracks. It’s the trains.”
A spokeswoman from Ms Allan’s office said passengers on the affected services were entitled to be frustrated and encouraged them to contact V/Line for a refund.
“We won't be lectured by Bill Tilley when it comes to public transport,” she said.
“It was a Labor Government who secured the money for the track and continues to hold the ARTC to account to ensure works are completed quickly for North East line passengers.”
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