annual report 2008-2009 - V/Line

Sometimes disruptions to our train service occur due to incidents beyond our control, but our customers judge us on
the speed of our response and ability to keep them moving – no matter what.
Unlike the metropolitan train network, V/Line trains travel much greater distances and do not have the same service
regularity, which is why catching the next train is not an option for many people.
To ensure that our customers are not left waiting for unreasonable amounts of time, a cancelled train on the V/Line
network needs to be replaced by a road coach in most instances. Our commercial partnerships with coach companies
in Melbourne and regional Victoria are pivotal to ensuring customers are provided with an alternative.
Coach companies are also called upon by V/Line for planned track works or prolonged train disruptions such as
during the February 2009 bushfires.
V/Line has a pool of around 30 coach companies across Victoria at our disposal in the event of disruptions,
and Dysons is a good example of the way V/Line has partnered with a commercial transport provider.
Dysons has many depots across regional Victoria and runs a large fleet of modern and well-equipped buses and
coaches which, when necessary, jump into action to keep our customers moving. V/Line’s aim is to get our customers
to their destinations, and without these commercial partnerships, this could not happen.
In addition to the train-support role contracts that V/Line manages with coach operators, the Department of Transport
has contracts with coach companies which provide regular timetabled services to our passengers. This part of the
business is also important as it accounts for just over eight per cent of our patronage.
Commercial m partnerships r p s with
other transport r t providers
r Dysons Bus Service Managing Director Jamie Dyson and V/Line Coach Manager, Andrew Berry at Sunbury Station.
V/LINE ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009
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