Commuters across Melbourne will be eligible for one free day of travel after a train derailment left passengers stranded last month.Metro Trains’ Mernda and Hurstbridge lines were down for a week from July 13 after a train partially derailed near Clifton Hill station, damaging 100 metres of track.
Metro Trains chief executive Raymond O’Flaherty today announced passengers with a valid myki who touched on on more than 10 days in July could apply for an $11 Myki credit.
The faulty train carriage had to be lifted from the track with a crane. (Nine)
“We know it was a very significant disruption to Mernda and Hurstbridge.. and I sincerely apologise for that,” O’Flaherty said.
“The compensation is not just for those who were disrupted, it’s all passengers who travelled on our network.”
The compensation payout is standard at times when Metro fails to meet its performance target.
“Metro did not meet its service delivery targets for July, we fell short … and as a result we are paying compensation to eligible passengers.
“Our contract has a very clear process for compensation…they’re the rules that are set out and we follow that process.”
Commuters were forced to take replacement buses for a week as crews worked to repair the damaged track. (Nine)
Eligible passengers can apply for compensation through the Metro Trains website.
More than 600 passengers have lodged claims so far, O’Flaherty said.
“We’ve made it very simple. All they have to do is put in their Myki number, submit the form [and] that will be assessed very quickly and compensation will be paid.”
The cause of last month’s derailment remains under investigation, with a preliminary report expected to be released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in a month.
Shadow public transport minister Matthew Guy blasted the offer as “cold comfort”.
“At the end of the day, Victorians just want the system to work,” Guy said.