{"id":143253,"date":"2024-10-24T16:19:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T06:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=143253"},"modified":"2024-10-24T16:34:19","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T06:34:19","slug":"the-management-of-v-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=143253","title":{"rendered":"The Management of V\/line"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

V\/Line have made some recent decisions that in the mind of many have moved the network backwards when you consider customer service, on train catering and amenities, passenger comfort, noise levels on the train itself, the number of seats per service and of course the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, there have been real questions being asked about the air quality at Southern Cross Railway Station for both passengers and staff<\/a> who work at the station. The quality of the air around and inside the station has been the subject of much concern and has been exacerbated by the continued purchasing of diesel powered rail cars called Vlocities. V\/Line have been removing longer distance passenger sets with one locomotives with trains of 6 cars with six engines all diesel powered and emitting fumes. Essentially we have added over 300 diesel engines to the V\/Line network. That is not good for the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toxic air at Southern Cross Railway Station<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There have been serious illnesses experienced by workers at Southern Cross<\/a> allegedly due to the poor air quality at the station. As yet we have seen no public response from the Victorian Government other than continuing to purchase more polluting diesel rolling stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is impossible to identify ANY plan<\/strong> by the PTV or V\/Line to decarbonise the rail network between major regional centres such as Geelong and Ballarat. I will repeat that, it is impossible to find ANY plan<\/strong> to remove diesel trains from high capacity routes like Geelong that is approaching a 15 minute service for much of the day. Can you imagine the diesel fumes across that line. In almost any other jurisdiction this line would have previously been electrified. It should have been years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is incredibly poor decision making on the part of V\/Line Management<\/strong> when most other companies have a clear decarbonisation plan and in a state that is delivering many renewable energy projects. The largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere<\/a> is being built between Ballarat and Geelong but we cannot get an electrification project up and running between Melbourne\/Geelong\/Ballarat\/Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The wind farm at Golden Plains will be the largest in the southern hemisphere and V\/Line will not use any of this green power<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The poor decision making around longer distance rolling stock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The replacement of longer distance rolling stock with short haul, basic, uncomfortable and noisy rolling stock called a Vlocity train has not been popular with the travelling public. V\/Line management have overseen the removal of capacity and service on the Albury Line<\/a>, the Bairnsdale Line<\/a> and soon the Warrnambool Line<\/a> all highly unpopular decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It should also be said the Vlocity trains are over 20 years old in design, however communications from V\/Line state they are new and current. It is hard if not impossible to identify an operator world wide who use a Vlocity train style for long distance journeys and who would not have electrified regional rail lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The poor management decisions and blatant lack of strategic planning clearly fall on the Management of V\/Line.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Why has this happened?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has happened because the management of V\/Line have failed to properly plan for the replacement of the longer distance rolling stock. As is the case with most projects in Victoria, they are delayed, when approved they cost three times as much and are delayed by years. This was become the rule now rather than the exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is even worse when you think parliamentary members of the ALP , such as the member for Warrnambool<\/a>, publicly state seat numbers are not reducing when V\/Line communications to the public clearly show they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vlocity trains are not the answer<\/a> for the travelling public seeking a reliable, comfortable, quiet, and available service between regional Victoria and Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is therefore making these decisions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have being looking at the top level of the Operator of V\/line from my understanding they oversee the trains and coach transport network in Victoria. Let’s take a closer look at who these people are and their level of experience in relation to their very important role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Current Management is described as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matt Carrick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chief Executive Officer at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nada Jolic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Head of Internal Communications at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Kate McCardel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Legal Director at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ray Whyte<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regional Manager at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

******************************<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dan Fogarty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Head of Media at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Daniel Filipovic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Head of Procurement at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Stuart Brockwell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chief Information Officer at V\/Line<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Looking at their credential and qualifications which very intriguing and striking is their top CEO Matt Carrick his top mangers are quoted from the website.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n