Conclusion

Metro maintains and renews railway infrastructure and technology sufficiently to support train service punctuality and reliability and minimise passenger injuries.

However, the department does not have an overarching performance measurement and reporting framework for the $6.2 billion agreement. As a result, it does not effectively monitor Metro’s performance in maintaining and renewing these assets. The department also does not check if Metro’s asset maintenance and renewal works will support train service performance into the future.

More passengers travel on metropolitan trains than any other type of public transport in Melbourne. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the network carried 4.7 million passengers each week. 

For these trains to run safely and as scheduled, the infrastructure and technology assets that support them need to be maintained and periodically renewed.

Under a franchise agreement with the Department of Transport and Planning, private rail operator Metro plans and delivers maintenance and renewal works across the network. 

We consulted with the audited agencies and considered their views when reaching our conclusions. The agencies’ full responses are in Appendix A.