Metro train fine a joke: Vic opposition

The Victorian government has four million reasons why Melbourne's trains should be running on time.

But the state opposition has come up with 470 million more.

With an election only months away, both have intensified the blame game over who is really responsible for train operator Metro's disastrous takeover in public transport and, more importantly, who should pay for it.

Not once has Metro met timetable targets on trains in the seven months since it signed an $8 billion government contract.

Performance figures released on Saturday show about one in six trains ran more than five minutes late in June, below the 12 per cent target.

The poor results come days after passengers had to get off a train and walk because of a faulty train in Melbourne's CBD.

Victoria's Public Transport Minister Martin Pakula punished Metro for the result on Saturday by announcing he'd withhold $4 million in payments until it improves services - the maximum performance penalty he can hand down under its contract.

"We are sending a strong message to Metro," he said of the multi-million-dollar decision.

"The community expects and deserves better performance from their train system.

"It's not unreasonable for passengers to expect that they will reach their destination on time."

Metro CEO Andrew Lezala pleaded for more time, saying the next 12 months will include a major investment in maintenance and upgrades that will lead to improved services.

"We're disappointed the government has withheld payments," he said in a statement released on Saturday.

But the two announcements had the state opposition accusing both of acting like stuntmen who are only pretending to fight to keep voters satisfied leading up to the state election.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the $4 million penalty is less than one per cent of Metro's lucrative contract.

Metro will still earn $470 million a year after the $4 million penalty is deducted.

He said Premier John Brumby has to therefore take responsibility for creating a contract that lets an operator still pocket $470 million annually, no matter how late the trains will be.

"No one has been punished here," Mr Mulder told reporters on Saturday.

"It's John Brumby's contract. It's John Brumby's contractor.

"John Brumby's lack of planning, lack of investment in infrastructure, is the problem."

And what of the plea that train services will get better in 12 months time?

"We've had 11 years of a Labor government here in Victoria. The problem hasn't improved," Mr Mulder said.

"How dare they ask for another 12 months after nearly 11 years in office.

"No one believes them. No one believes this government can fix the problem."

On election day, many voters may be taking a train to the polls and if it's late once again, the big unknown is how it might impact their vote: is it Labor's fault, Metro's or someone elses?