By ANEEKA SIMONIS
V/LINE has rejected claims it was at odds with Metro about speed restrictions between Dandenong and Pakenham despite reducing its maximum travel speed by up to 30 per cent amid driver safety concerns.
Recent reports of “rough riding” by V/Line train drivers led to a speed limit reduction to 80km/h – down from the 115km/h speed limit.
Metro, however, did not reduce their travel speed through the shared section of track, sparking suggestions the pair were at loggerheads over the safety of the rail line.
V/LINE spokeswoman Ebony Jordan said the speed restrictions had now been lifted.
“V/Line’s locomotive trains are a lot heavier than metropolitan trains, so as a safety precaution for staff and customers, V/Line imposed the speed restriction while it looked into the rough riding reports,” she said.
“Further testing has since been completed along that section of track and V/Line has lifted the speed restrictions so Gippsland services are once again travelling at line speeds of 115km/h out of Southern Cross.”
The claims of ‘rough riding’, however, were not unfounded.
Metro spokeswoman Pauline O’Connor said the rail service would be replacing the rock on various level crossings in the 27-kilometre stretch of rough territory.
“As part of routine maintenance scheduled for next month, we are replacing the ballast (rock on track) at various level crossings between Dandenong and Pakenham, including the Station Street level crossing near Officer station,” she said.
“These works will eliminate any rough riding issues in the long-term and improve the quality of the track.”
V/Line trains continue to travel 50km/h through the Station Street level crossing near Officer station.
It is understood concerns about the track condition have been raised with the national rail safety watchdog the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator.
“V/Line will continue to work with Metro to monitor the situation and ensure the best outcome for staff and customers travelling on the Gippsland line,“ Mr Jordan said.
