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Upgrades derail patronage
21 May 2004
The Victorian Transport Minister has admitted that punctuality and patronage suffered on regional rail operator V/Line while track upgrades were carried out for regional fast-rail projects. Mr Batchelor said yesterday that patronage on the Geelong and Latrobe Valley lines dropped by 25 per cent while the lines were shut down due to fast-rail works earlier this year.
But the patronage figures have since rebounded and continue to improve; they're now down only 6 per cent on last year's figures.
Mr Batchelor wouldn't comment on patronage figures on the Ballarat line, which is closed for works.
The $616 million for regional fast rail was one of the Bracks Labor Government's major election promises to Victoria's regional areas, but the project has faced several delays.
Australian Financial Review, 21/5/04.
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