Appendix A Audit Act 1994 section 16—submissions and comments

We have consulted with DEDJTR, DTF, PTV and V/Line, and we considered their views when reaching our audit conclusions. As required by section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994, we gave a draft copy of this report, or relevant extracts, to those agencies and asked for their submissions and comments.

Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

DEDJTR

PTV

V/Line

RESPONSE provided by the Secretary, DEDJTR

5 Governance

An essential element of good public administration is a governance framework that clearly sets out roles and responsibilities, and outlines how these roles will contribute to the overall purpose and function of a service or program.

DEDJTR, PTV, VicTrack and V/Line all share responsibility for the planning and operation of regional passenger services.

This part of the report examines whether the governance arrangements support the effective delivery of V/Line passenger services.

4 Asset management

The regional rail network is a significant state asset. To be managed effectively, the network needs a sound asset management framework and strategy, based on a robust understanding of the condition of the existing assets and their capacity, capability and usage. The strategy should take into account available resources, funding constraints and competing service and asset priorities.

Under a services agreement with PTV, V/Line is required to manage and maintain regional rail infrastructure, including the rolling stock used for passenger services.

2 Operational performance

V/Line's mission is to deliver customer-focused, safe and efficient regional passenger transport and rail freight services.

V/Line must meet key service criteria for the operational performance of its rail passenger services, specified in a services agreement with PTV as follows:

1 Audit context

1.1 V/Line network and services

V/Line offers an important service to regional communities—it provides access to services, education and employment across the state. V/Line operates and maintains a fleet of 372 passenger trains and a network of 3 520 kilometres of rail track for passenger services (1 600 kilometres) and freight services (1 920 kilometres).

In 2015–16, V/Line carried 17.7 million passengers—16.3 million on trains and 1.4 million on V/Line-branded coaches—and operated:

Audit overview

V/Line offers an important service to regional communities—it provides Victorians with access to services, education and employment across the state. Closer to Melbourne, V/Line also services many rapidly growing outer suburbs, and demand for these services is increasing.

V/Line operates and maintains a fleet of 372 passenger trains and carriages, and 3 520 kilometres of rail track used by passenger and freight services. More than 1 250 V/Line-branded coach services also operate every week, connecting the rail network with regional communities not serviced by trains.