V/Line

Infobox Company
company_name = V/Line Passenger Corporation
V/Line Passenger Pty. Ltd.
company_
company_type = Government-owned corporation
foundation = 1983
location = flagicon|AUS Melbourne, Australia
key_people = Rob Barnett - "CEO"
Frank Tait - "chairman"
Meredith Doig - "board member"
Colin Nicol - "board member"
Catherine Scott - "board member"
area_served = Victoria, Australia and several interstate locations
industry = Rail and Coach services
products =
revenue = profitAUD$318.9m (2006-07)cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/pdf/media/annualreport06-07.pdf
title=V/Line annual report 2006 - 2007
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]
operating_income =
net_income = Unreported:"Not for profit"
num_employees = 1,255 (as at October 2007)
parent = Victorian Government
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.vline.com.au/ www.vline.com.au]
footnotes =
intl = yesInfobox rail
railroad_name=V/Line Passenger Pty. Ltd.
railroad_abbr=VLP
locale=Victoria, Australia
predecessor_line = Victorian Railways
Public Transport Corporation
system_

---

map_caption = Victorian railway network
start_year=1983
end_year=present
gauge=RailGauge|63
hq_city=Melbourne

V/Line is a "not for profit" regional passenger train and coach service in Victoria, Australia. It was created after the split-up of Vic-Rail in 1983. V/Line is owned by the V/Line Passenger Corporation which is a Victorian State Government statutory authority.

V/Line operates to 82 railway stations and a larger number of coach stops, and operates 1444 rail services and 592 coach services every week across regional Victoria.cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/about/news/en/12/157/article.aspx
title=V/Line Background
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

History

As a government authority

On July 1, 1983 the Transport Act 1983 was passed and the State Transport Authority (STA) created. [cite web
url=http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewAgency&entityId=1038#
title=Public Record Office Victoria online catalogue
publisher=access.prov.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-03-16] The new authority replaced VicRail, and established the V/Line operating brand in both country passenger and Victorian rail freight. The VicRail orange and silver 'teacup' livery used on passenger rolling stock was replaced in August 1983 by the orange and grey livery, the white and green V/Line logo also being launched at the same time. [cite book
author = Railmac Publications
title = Australian Fleetbooks: V/Line locomotives
publisher = Kitchner Press
page = page 5
year = 1992
isbn = 0 949817 76 7 ]

This was altered in 1989 when the Transport (Amendment) Act was passed, creating the Public Transport Corporation (PTC) from the merger of the State Transport Authority with the Metropolitan Transit Authority. [cite web
url=http://access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer?component=daViewAgency&entityId=2984
title=Public Record Office Victoria online catalogue
publisher=access.prov.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-03-16] The relationship between the country V/Line and suburban 'The Met' brands was blurred, with the Sprinter trains delivered in the 1993-1995 period appearing in PTC colours but with both PTC and V/Line logos. [cite web
url=http://www.vlinecars.com/sprinters.htm
title=V/LineCars.com - Sprinters
publisher=www.vlinecars.com
accessdate=2008-03-16]

In 1995 the freight and passenger rail divisions of V/Line were divided, locomotives in the freight fleet retaining the orange and grey livery with 'V/Line Freight' logos, while passenger carriages and locomotive received the red blue and white 'V/Line Passenger' livery which remains on some of the fleet today. [cite journal
year = 2005
title= News
month = November
journal = Newsrail
publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)
volume = 23
number = 11 ] This split was finalised on July 1 1997 when separate management was brought in.cite journal
author = Peter Attenborough
year = 2004
month = June
title = Freight Australia
journal = Australian Model Railway Magazine
volume = 21
issue = 9
pages = pages 24–27 ]

In 1999 V/Line Passenger and V/Line Freight were privatised separately. National Express acquired V/Line Passenger, and Freight Victoria (later Freight Australia, now Pacific National) acquiring V/Line Freight. The V/Line Freight contract included a 45 year lease from the government of most regional track (passenger and freight), with responsibilities for track, signalling and level crossings, with access to passenger sections of track granted to V/Line Passenger.

As a corporation

National Express took control of V/Line Passenger from August 29, 1999.cite journal
author = Peter Attenborough
year = 2006
month = June
title = V/Line Passenger
journal = Australian Model Railway Magazine
volume = 22
issue = 258
number = 9
pages = pages 26–29 ] It included all country rail operations in Victoria, with the exception of the West Coast Railway operated Warrnambool line and the Hoys Roadlines operated Shepparton line, previously franchised in 1993. 2004 saw operation difficulties hit the two privately operated lines, and they came back under the control of V/Line.

On December 22 2002 National Express withdrew from their operations in Victoria with the Victorian Government taking control temporarily. [cite web
title = The long goodbye
author = Richard Web
work = The Age
date = March 14 2004
url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/13/1078594612786.html
format = HTML
accessdate = 2008-02-17 ] Full control was taken on October 1, 2003 by changing the shareholding of V/Line, making the government the sole shareholder via a recently created statutory corporation, V/Line Passenger Corporation.

In 2000 the Regional Fast Rail project was launched to upgrade the tracks linking Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and the Latrobe Valley to Melbourne. The project, which also included new rolling stock and an expanded timetable of rail services, commenced full operations from December 2005. [cite web|url=http://wongm.fotopic.net/c802268.html|title=V/line - First Day of VLocity Revenue Operation (Ballarat)|accessdate=2007-07-26]

November 2006 saw Pacific National enter into an agreement to sell the remainder of its Victorian rail lease of the network back to the Victorian Government for $133.8 m, during the caretaker period following the issuing of the writs for the 25 November 2006 Victorian State election. [cite news | title = Toll sells rail lease | pages = 17 | publisher = Canberra Times | date = 2 November 2006 ] The sale was completed on May 7, 2007, with V/Line becoming the track manager of the Victorian intrastate network. [cite web
url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/6f0846798c60e597ca2572d4007d9d99!OpenDocument
title=Media Release: RAIL BUY BACK DEAL COMPLETE
work=MINISTER FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT
date=May 7, 2007
publisher=www.legislation.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

In May 2008 it was announced that part of the V/Line fleet would be converted to standard gauge to operate an upgraded Albury-Wodonga line service. [cite web
url=http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/federal-state-co-operation-delivers-major-rail-project.html
title=Premier of Victoria, Australia - FEDERAL-STATE CO-OPERATION DELIVERS MAJOR RAIL PROJECT
publisher=www.premier.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-05-30]

Operations

Services

V/line operates rail services to the regional cities of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Seymour and Traralgon as well as Ararat, Echuca, Swan Hill, Albury, Bairnsdale, Warrnambool and Shepparton. In addition, V/Line road coaches connect with many rail services at major stations to serve towns away from the main rail network.cite web
url=http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/fares_tickets/v_line_fares_tickets
title=V/Line fares & tickets - Metlink - Your guide to public transport in Melbourne and Victoria
publisher=www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

Rail services are grouped into two classes - shorter distance Interurban and longer distance Intercity services. [cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/fares/fares/interurban_intercity.html
title=V/Line ~ Help ~ Interurban & Intercity
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-16] Interurban services operate more frequently than Intercity services, and Intercity services usually have first class accommodation provided as well as snack bar facilities.

All rail services depart from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne on the following lines.
* South West Region or Geelong Line which continues as the Warrnambool Line
* Western Region or Ballarat Line which continues as the Ararat Line
* Northern Region or Bendigo Line which extends as the Swan Hill Line and the Echuca Lines.
* North East Region or Seymour Line which extends as the Shepparton Line and the Albury-Wodonga Lines
* Eastern Region or Traralgon Line which continues as the Bairnsdale Line

Ticketing

V/Line currently uses machine printed paper tickets, issued from staffed V/Line stations, selected Connex suburban Premium stations, V/Line ticket agents, or by phone. Passengers joining services at unmanned stations or roadside coach stops are permitted to purchase tickets from the train conductor or coach driver.

Tickets have the origin and destination printed upon them, making them point to point, but the fare itself based upon charging zones. [http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/content/download/34673/459737/file/3319%20FT%20Manual%2008%20WEB%20CHP03.pdf Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual 2008: Chapter 3 - V/Line travel] ] Recent years have seen changes made to the fare system, to integrate it with the suburban only Metcard system in preparation for the introduction of the Myki smartcard system to cover the entire state. [cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/fares/fares/vline_metlink_integration.html
title=V/Line - V/Line & Metlink ticket integration
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

Ticket types available include single, return, and a range of periodical tickets.cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/fares/fares/tickets.html
title=V/Line - Fares - Ticket Types & Conditions
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27] Services are divided into peak and off peak, with discounts offered for tickets valid in off peak times only. V/Line operates a limited number of trains with First Class accommodation. To travel in first class passengers are required to pay an upgrade fee on top of the standard economy fare. [cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/fares/fares/firstclass.html
title=V/Line ~ First Class
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

The majority of V/Line services operate with non allocated seating, but all Intercity (long distance) rail services and some coach services require seat reservations. [cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/fares/reservations/reservations.html
title=V/Line - Reservations
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

Fleet

V/Line currently operates a mix of Diesel Multiple Unit and locomotive-hauled trains.

Diesel Multiple Units:
* 40 - 2 car VLocity DMUs, built by Bombardier Transportation:"23 motorised intermediate cars (and nine extra three car DMUs) are under construction for delivery beginning in mid 2008. As of October 2008, four intermediate cars are currently in service. [cite web
url=http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/newmedia.nsf/b0222c68d27626e2ca256c8c001a3d2d/70fd92e6291cad24ca25737400805ee5!OpenDocument
title=Media Release: EXTRA CARRIAGES TO BOOST CAPACITY ON REGIONAL TRAINS
work=OFFICE OF THE PREMIER
date=October 12, 2007
publisher=www.legislation.vic.gov.au
accessdate=2008-03-27] "
* 21 - Sprinter diesel railcars, which can run in multiple, built by Goninan

Locomotives:

* 4 A class locomotives
* 25 N class locomotives
* 8 P class locomotives
* 4 Y class shunting locomotives

Carriages:

* 19 N type carriage sets, built by the Victorian Railways and are locomotive-hauled. A number of sets have additional Z and S cars in the consist.

* 13 H type carriage sets, converted from Harris suburban EMUs and are locomotive-hauled.

Road coaches:

*Road coaches are supplied by private bus companies, who are contracted by the Department of Infrastructure to operate services for V/Line. These buses often appear in the V/Line exterior livery. [cite web
url=http://www.vline.com.au/about/ourfleet/our_fleet.html
title=V/Line - Our Fleet
publisher=www.vline.com.au
accessdate=2008-03-27]

References

See also

*Rail transport in Victoria

External links

* [http://www.vline.com.au V/Line]
* [http://www.vlinecars.com/ V/LineCars.com] - Comprehensive V/Line Carriages Information & Enthusiast website
* [http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=passenger&section=rollingstock Vicsig.net] - Victorian passenger rolling stock

simple:V/Line