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weekender the western Friday, October 18, 2019 • FREE
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
www.westernweekender.com.au
WESTERN LINE TRAIN SERVICES FAIL TO MEET ON-TIME RUNNING TARGETS
OFF THE TRACKS
Transport Minister Andrew Constance is facing questions over the reliability of trains
It’s been nearly two years since Transport Minister Andrew Constance introduced the “timetable that Sydney needed” but for western Sydney train commuters, the headache continues to worsen with poor on-time running, delays and growing frustrations.
Monday presented a familiar challenge for commuters with extensive delays during the afternoon peak, caused by signal problems at Werrington and Milsons Point. As a result, many Western Line services were either delayed or cancelled as the network tried in vain to recover. It comes as figures reveal that the monthly on- time running targets for Western Line
services during peak periods haven’t been met once this year. Despite issuing five separate transportrelated media releases in the past week, including excitedly announcing extra services for the T5 Cumberland line, Mr Constance wasn’t keen on addressing the Western Line reliability issues when contacted by the Weekender this week.
Instead, he handballed the issue to Sydney Trains, which said an “increase in services and longer dwell times” had impacted peak punctuality. Shadow Minister for Transport, Chris Minns, said the reliability figures were appalling, claiming there has been a lack of focus and investment in the rail network. Story continues on page 6
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