In the past two to three weeks, I have experienced two instances where the 7:25 PM VLine service to the western suburbs and Bacchus Marsh was cancelled without warning. This happened again tonight, and after waiting over 40 minutes, we were supposed to depart at 8:08 PM, but like 2-3 weeks ago, our train departed at least 10 minutes late. This is not just a minor inconvenience - it’s a recurring pattern that sows frustration among passengers who rely on these services. 

As a resident of the western suburbs, I find it disheartening that VLine only operates with three carriages after a previous train cancellation often leading to standing-room-only conditions before the train even leaves Southern Cross station!
It's baffling that with full knowledge of the increased number of passengers that are likely waiting to board at stops such as Footscray and Sunshine after a VLine service cancellation, that additional carriages are not anticipated - and provided - to alleviate overcrowding and improve customer service.

The cancellation 2-3 weeks ago resulted in passengers struggling to find room to board the train at Richmond and Sunshine and meant a slow trip home as the driver had to wait for passengers to get off the train to allow people further down the carriage to disembark at the station - and then wait again - while everyone got back on again!  He then kept apologising to late travellers for the crowded train - but not to the passengers who were only on that train because VLine had cancelled our service 50 minutes earlier.

Customers are already tired - cancelling a service means that those of us who leave home to get to  our jobs after 7 AM don’t get back to our homes until more than 12 hours later - and some 5 hours of that time has been traversing Victoria’s public transport system. Tonight I arrived home after 9PM as did many of my fellow travellers -  after leaving my home at 7:15 AM.  I can only imagine how late those who bussed from Bacchus Marsh to Ballarat got home!

The western suburbs and Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Ballarat, and Wendouree, deserve a reliable and efficient public transport service.  The regular and unanticipated cancellation of services not only disrupts the daily routines of countless commuters but also highlights the deeply unequal treatment of residents in the western regions. In comparison, other regions like Melbourne's east and south-east appear to enjoy more reliable and frequent services.

I’ve also read that VLine often abandons Wendouree passengers at Ballarat Station when inconvenient for VLine - so what are Wendouree passengers supposed to do? 
Walk 5 kms in the dark?

To rectify this disparity, we propose the following actionable solutions. First, VLine should seriously consider increasing the number of carriages during peak hours and off peak when VLine have cancelled a previous train. This would significantly reduce the overcrowding that currently plagues the service. 
Second, a more transparent and timely communication system should be established to alert commuters of potential cancellations or delays. - I suggest VLine knows well before we do they’re contemplating cancelling a service!

Not only do we have to wait for a much later train - but VLine’s controllers seem to take a particular delight in making the Ballarat line’s commuters walk from one end of Southern Cross to the other.  Three weeks ago it was from Platform 15A to 3B opposite Marvel Station - tonight it was Platform 1 to Platform 15A. Does anyone ever think about how difficult that can be for parents with young children, people with disabilities and those who are older?

Third, to ensure accountability, an independent review of the current scheduling and capacity management should be conducted, focusing particularly on the western corridor, including Ballarat and Wendouree.

These steps will not only enhance the commuting experience for thousands, but also restore confidence in a public service that should be consistent and equitable. Reliable public transport is a right, not a privilege reserved for select areas.

Please sign this petition to demand that VLine and the relevant stakeholders make these necessary improvements to deliver a dependable and fair service to Melbourne’s western suburbs and beyond. Together, we can advocate for change and ensure that our public transport system serves everyone equally. Sign the petition today.

*Thanks to Wong’ms Rail Gallery for the photo of passengers boarding at Sunshine Station*