Tuesday 27 January 2009

An increase in train maintenance and earlier cooling of trains are part of a package of measures in place as V/Line gears up for one of Victoria's hottest weeks on record.

With temperatures forecast to be up to 41 degrees in Melbourne until Saturday (and hotter in some parts of the state), V/Line is preparing the regional train fleet and infrastructure for the heat wave.

The package of hot weather measures has seen a step-up in train maintenance over the past few days in preparation. While most hot days are soon followed by a cool change, the sustained heat expected over several days will see maintenance crews working to full capacity.

A fleet of 20 coaches will be on stand-by tonight and other hot days at Southern Cross Station to back-up trains affected by the extreme heat. More coaches will be on hand in the hottest part of the state at Swan Hill and Shepparton, with further coaches deployed to other locations as needed.

To help passengers cope with sweltering temperatures, air conditioning on the older locomotive-hauled trains will also be run well before departures to help ensure cooler carriages as people board.

As rail operations get ready for the heat, V/Line is also helping train passengers to prepare with the following special hot weather travel advice:

• Stay well hydrated in the heat by drinking plenty of water before your trip. All V/Line trains have onboard water fountains, and the older locomotive-hauled trains also have onboard buffets for purchase of bottled water and other refreshments;
• Allow up to half an hour extra travel time between midday and 8pm on days when the temperature rises above 36 degrees in most of the state (or 33 degrees in Swan Hill and Echuca). Steel tracks expand in the heat, requiring trains to run at slower speeds to be safe;
• Keep up-to-date with service alterations by signing up for V/Line’s new SMS and email alert system called ‘V/Line Inform’. This free service is available by registering at www.vline.com.au/inform; and
• Listen for announcements giving service updates at stations and onboard trains.

Ms McGinnes said the continued heat wave this week was unprecedented.

"This will mean little or no relief for train maintenance crews until there’s a break in the weather conditions.

She said Victoria's inconsistent weather made it difficult to timetable ahead for hot days.

“In other parts of Australia and the world, some operators implement summer timetables where services on all days are essentially slowed to cater for the heat.

“Here in Victoria, temperatures exceed limits on too few days to make a summer timetable viable because trains would be slowed on more days than needed.

“Previous years show us that hot weather delays to trains occur on average nine days per month over summer, while the other 19 to 22 days are unaffected.

Ms McGinnes thanked train passengers in advance for their patience as V/Line works to get ready for the heat.

Customers are encouraged to visit vline.com.au/heat or call us on 136 196 for more details.