ANNUAL REPORT 2004–05 - V/Line

THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT’S ‘REVITALISINGVICTORIAN RAIL’ PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER ARANGE OF PROJECTS DESIGNED TO DELIVER AMODERN, SAFE RAIL SYSTEM, WITH NEW TRAINS,MORE STAFF AND BETTER SERVICES.FOUR OF THE PROJECTS – REGIONAL FAST RAIL,SPENCER STREET STATION REDEVELOPMENT, THENEW VLOCITY TRAINS, AND VICTORIA'S SMARTCARD-BASED NEW TICKETING SOLUTION – WILL DELIVERMAJOR BENEFITS TO V/LINE AND OUR CUSTOMERS.V/LINE IS SUPPORTING KEY GOVERNMENT AGENCIESIN DELIVERING THESE PROJECTS.REGIONAL FAST RAIL PROJECTThe Regional Fast Rail Project is the largest upgrade ofVictorian regional rail in 120 years, ensuring thatcommunities will have access to regular, modern andefficient train services into the future.Managed by the Department of Infrastructure’s RegionalFast Rail Group, the project involves major infrastructureimprovements along the Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and theLatrobe Valley corridors. When completed, it will providecustomers with more frequent, flexible, reliable andcomfortable rail services.Most of the major construction work was completed during2004–05, with significant progress made on the installationof a new, modern signalling system.V/Line managed major coach replacement programs duringline closures to enable construction work to proceed.By 30 June 2005, more than 350 kilometres of high-quality,heavier rail had been installed, along with approximately430,000 new concrete sleepers.More than 100 level crossings on the country sections ofthe four lines have been upgraded and by the end of theproject this number will have increased to 170.A fibre-optic network has been installed adjacent to the raillines to support the new signalling system as well as provideadditional broadband capacity for regional areas.The new signalling system is now in operation on sectionsof the Bendigo and Geelong lines.12 | V/LINE ANNUAL REPORT 2004–05SPENCER STREET STATION REDEVELOPMENTThe metropolitan hub of V/Line's regional rail operations,Spencer Street Station is set to re-emerge as the iconicSouthern Cross Station.The redevelopment of the station as a new, world-classtransport interchange facility is a public/private partnershipbetween the Victorian Government and the Civic Nexusconsortium. Spencer Street Station Authority is overseeingthe project on behalf of the Government. Construction isbeing undertaken by Leighton Contractors.The new station will create a customer-friendly facility. It willbe comfortable, convenient and safe, and able to handle30,000 passengers an hour in peak periods.The redevelopment of the station made solid progressduring 2004–05, with key milestones including:• major progress on the distinctive 'wave' roof, withnearly all the roof panels installed and the waterprooflayer over the ceiling panels complete• opening the new Collins Street passenger concourse• closing the 80-year-old station subway.V/Line services continued to operate at the station, althoughwith significantly reduced platform access.V/Line and the Spencer Street Station Authority allocatedadditional staff to help customers at the station. Easilydistinguishable on the platforms in their bright green vests,V/Line staff helped direct customers to their trains, monitoredoperations and responded to issues as they emerged.A number of initiatives were undertaken, including:• establishment of a multi-disciplinary Spencer StreetStation Steering Group to oversee the change initiatives• implementation of a staff engagement strategy• staff coaching on customer service skills.