On Track Survey 2017 Results

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The 2017 RACV On Track Survey results are in, providing a unique insight into the state of our rail network. On Track captures Victorians attitudes to the condition of train services and stations that they use.
With significant rail improvement projects underway and more planned for Victoria, RACV’s On Track Survey helps us advocate for the things that matter to you.
Find out the best and worst stations, and check the issues and ratings for your own station using our new interactive online tool.
The good news | The bad news | Your station's results | What needs to be done
Top 10 Stations 2017
Top 10 Stations 2017
Station rating (out of 10)
Change in station rating 2015-2017
Metro/VLine*
The clear message from the 2017 On Track Survey results is that investing in new and upgraded stations gets results. The top five stations in 2017 are all brand new, having been built in the past few years (Wyndham Vale and Waurn Ponds) or completely redeveloped (Bentleigh, Ormond and McKinnon).
The stations built as part of the State Government's level crossing removal program at Bentleigh, Ormond and McKinnon, rebuilt in 2016-17, have subsequently jumped in the On Track results. Gardiner Station also received a makeover through the Bourke Road level crossing removal project, and improved by 2.1 points (out of 10) from 2015, the biggest improver between the 2015 and 2017 On Track surveys.
Bentleigh Station Redevelopment
Warragul Station was another to rise through the rankings, improving by 1.46 points to 8.12 out of 10 in 2017. This is another success story; significant investment in 2014/15 has expanded car parking and improved bus access at Warragul Station, providing a much-needed refresh of the station precinct. Entering our top 10 as the 9th best station in the state, this suggests the changes are being enjoyed by the growing number of people using Warragul Station.
Warragul Station
Wyndham Vale has been rated the best station in the state for the second On Track Survey in a row. This station was brand new in 2015, so for it to be rated so highly again in the 2017 survey demonstrates it is coping well with the significant population growth being experienced in the western suburbs.
Wyndham Vale Station
Top 10 Services (by Station)
Top 10 Services (by Station)
Service rating (out of 10)
Change in service rating 2015-2017
Metro/VLine*
*<20 submissions received in 2015 On Track Survey
The train service ratings relate to the experience that people have on the train, represented here in terms of where they are traveling from. Factors include the frequency of train services, how crowded they are and how clean/pleasant the carriage environment it. It is interesting to note that seven of the top 10 stations on this metric are located in the inner/middle eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Bottom 10 Stations 2017
Bottom 10 Stations 2017
Station rating (out of 10)
Change in rating 2015-2017
Metro/VLine*
*<20 submissions received in 2015 On Track Survey.
The worst performers in the 2017 On Track Survey results tell three specific stories:
- Outer suburban population growth areas need better public transport. Donnybrook comes in as the worst station in the state, with a rating of 3.41 out of 10. A recent spike in population in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs, and little investment in public transport, car parking, or station designs, has led to this low result. This is a cautionary tale for Melbourne’s growth areas: public transport and access issues need consideration before people move into these new suburbs.
- Aircraft Station needs attention. This was the worst rated station in 2015, and has dropped to 4.20 out of 10 in 2017. The On Track results point to issues such a lack of toilets, lack of car parking and inadequate seating as main factors influencing the ongoing low ratings.
- Stations currently under development appear in the worst 10; Murrumbeena and Carnegie have been affected by major construction as part of the level crossing removal works over the past 12 months. This is no doubt influencing their low ratings. We will be watching closely as the stations are completed and open in time for the next On Track survey in 2019.
Aircraft Station
Bottom 10 Services (by Station)
Bottom 10 Services (by Station)
Service rating (out of 10)
Change in rating 2015-2017
Metro/VLine*
*<20 submissions received in 2015 On Track Survey.
The poorest performing train services have been highlighted on the regional VLine network, with a specific issue emerging on the Albury/Wodonga line. The low service ratings at these regional stations are being influenced by significant disruption that has occurred since 2015 resulting in buses replacing rail services. This clearly has an impact on people’s experience, and deserves recognition as major construction works are progressed over the coming years.
Take a look at how your station ranked by viewing our downloadable PDF.
Investment in Victoria’s rail system needs to keep pace with the rate of change our state is experiencing. As the back bone of the mass transit system, train services must be frequent, have capacity and operate on time. Station environments must be inviting, safe and accessible.
Focussing on these important elements can help support the more than 200 million passenger trips occurring on the metropolitan rail network, and further 16+ million on the regional network every year.
The On Track Survey results point to the success of various projects, specifically rail station redevelopments that have been undertaken in recent years. The results also suggest that in areas where population growth is occurring, investment in the public transport system is lagging.
Over time, the On Track Survey data will become more and more valuable as we are able to correlate changes in the survey responses with where money is being spent (or not spent), on station upgrades and service improvements.
To find out more about what is needed in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, see RACV Growing Pains.
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Changing Tracks: RoyalAuto's take on the On Track Results
Commuters have had their say on the state of Victoria’s rail network in RACV’s On Track Survey. Is your station among the best or worst?
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2015 On Track Results
Discover how Victoria's train network has progressed with the full results from the 2015 On Track Survey.
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2019 On Track Results
View the results of the 2019 On Track survey and find out which train stations have been ranked as the best and worst performing in Victoria.