Vic: Rail operator to reduce service levels: Vic Opposition

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2001
Vic: Rail operator to reduce service levels: Vic Opposition

MELBOURNE, Dec 2 AAP - Private rail operator M>Train will reduce Sunday service levels
from January next year under plans in a leaked internal memo, the Victorian opposition
claimed today.

Opposition transport spokesman Geoff Leigh today produced what he said was a leaked
memo from M>Train that showed one Sunday service on Melbourne's Frankston line would be
cancelled and the frequency of services after 7pm would be reduced.

Mr Leigh said M>Train was seeking to reduce the frequency of services after 7pm on
Sunday from 30 minutes to 40 minutes on the St Albans, Williamstown and Werribee lines
in Melbourne's west; the Broadmeadows and Upfield lines in the north; and the Frankston,
Pakenham and Cranbourne lines in the south-east.

The memo, dated 30 November 2001, said the changes would take place from Sunday, 27 January 2002.

Mr Leigh called on Transport Minister Peter Batchelor to intervene.

He said train operators needed approval for their proposals from the Department of
Transport secretary, who was a subordinate of the minister.

"Peter Batchelor controls the public transport system - changes such as these are in
his hands," Mr Leigh said in a statement.

"He must tell M>Train that their plans to reduce services on Sundays from January 2002
are simply not on."

Comment is being sought from M>Train and Mr Batchelor.

The proposed reductions follow controversy last week over plans by M>Train and Connex
to fine passengers who could not buy a ticket due to faulty ticket machines.

The plans were dumped following intervention by Mr Batchelor.

AAP ce/tsc/clr/ph

KEYWORD: TRAINS

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