V/Line Regional Case Study: Sunshine to Ballarat Line
In May 2007, V/Line assumed responsibility for Victoria’s regional rail network. This followed the completion of the Victorian Government’s buy-back of the network from Pacific National. V/Line is now responsible for the operation and maintenance of 4100 kilometres of rail track across Victoria and into New South Wales.
As the Victorian state’s regional public transport provider, V/Line runs more than 1400 train services and 600 coach services each week, moving a potential 1.3 million regional Victorian commuters. Owned by the State, V/Line is responsible to the Minister for Public Transport and funded on a not-for-profit basis.
OnlineRail has been providing labour hire staff to V/Line Passenger RNA Pty Ltd since March 2007 (formerly Pacific National). OnlineRail were the primary suppliers to the company who originally upgraded the Ballarat line and these works form part of a further upgrade project of works that were not completed when the entire line was originally replaced.
As with all tie renewal works, staff are required to be extremely fit, appropriately ticketed, medically checked and have a variety of different skills behind them or be able to learn these new skills quickly and safely. Other than ensuring the collective group assigned to the project had the relevant skill sets, there were no particularly difficult aspects of supplying to this large scale job as this is one of OnlineRail’s specialities.
The level of service OnlineRail provides is very well known to be the highest in terms of railway labour hire. OnlineRail make a point of visiting all staff on-site (in a manner that does not impact on the client’s progress) whenever we visit. OnlineRail also assist with any ongoing training, and ensure that all candidates have the appropriate PPE. OnlineRail are very proud to be working with V/Line and supplying staff to a tie renewal gang that appears to be breaking records. |