LESS than half the V/Line services on the North East line were on-time last month.
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Victorian Department of Transport shows that in July only 48.3 per cent of trains running between Melbourne and Albury met the punctuality standard required.
It is nearly half the July punctuality mark recorded on the Shepparton line of 95.5 per cent.
The second worse figure for punctuality on V/Line routes across the state came on the Bairnsdale line which had 76.8 per cent of trains on time.
To be considered punctual a train on a long-distance route, such as Albury, has to arrive within 11 minutes of its scheduled time.
The latest data also shows the North East services fell marginally below the reliability benchmark of 96 per cent, at 95.2 per cent.
Vandalism has been blamed for the lack of reliability with copper theft affecting services along with train and track faults which saw buses replace trains.
Punctuality woes have been tied to long-running speed restrictions which have been imposed on the route by the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
"V/Line's priority is supporting the North East Line Upgrade, which will improve the condition of the Albury line and enable V/Line trains to run up to 130 km/h," a V/Line spokesman said.
"We understand that delays are very frustrating and we would like to thank passengers for their patience while we continue to work closely with the ARTC to try and improve performance on the Albury line."
Border Rail Action Group representative Bill Traill said given news of "twists" in the line, causing lateral movements of trains, reported by The Border Mail at the start of this month the poor timing was not unexpected.
"It doesn't surprise us, in view of the revelation....a week back," Mr Traill said.
"This so-called twisting is a new impediment which we had not heard of until this point.
"This lateral movement, I get quite unnerved thinking about it, being noticeably propelled around a cabin is a concern, keeping in mind rail travellers haven't got safety straps."
The ARTC has previously conceded it is under pressure to reduce speed restricted sections along the line, but at the same time noted major works are to occur to improve its standard.
Buses replaced trains on Sunday due to ARTC work.
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