Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced the appointment of a new Chair for V/Line.
Jeroen Weimar, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Victoria, will take on the role of V/Line Board chairman from 1 July, in a move which will better integrate V/Line and the broader transport network.
Mr Weimar takes on the role from Jenny Dawson whose term has concluded after three years. Ms Dawson has led the organisation strongly through a time of growth and change.
Having overseen significant performance improvements at Public Transport Victoria, Mr Weimar will bring his operational expertise to the board.
A key priority will be supporting V/Line to better manage the interface with Metro Trains at the metropolitan network boundary, as part of a focus on improving the regional operator’s performance at a time of unprecedented patronage growth.
His appointment coincides with record investment by the Andrews Labor Government on metropolitan and regional rail networks, with significant upgrades on every regional line as part of Regional Rail Revival, construction on the Metro Tunnel well underway and 25 dangerous level crossings now gone.
Mr Weimar’s experience in service planning and network integration will be invaluable in guiding V/Line to improved performance standards, while managing the impacts of the massive investment in infrastructure across the network.
One of Mr Weimar’s first priorities will be to consider how to address ongoing issues with staff availability and its impact on services.
This appointment also addresses findings made by the Victorian Auditor General about V/Line’s complex governance arrangements and the need to provide better management of the interface between the regional and metropolitan networks.
Ms Dawson will finish as Chair of the V/Line Board on 30 June, with Mr Weimar’s appointment to be for three years. Mr Weimar will continue in his current role as CEO of Public Transport Victoria.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“I’d like to thank Jenny Dawson for her commitment and dedication in guiding V/Line through a period of significant change and expansion of the rail network, and enormous patronage growth.”
“Jeroen Weimar’s record at PTV is clear – he has the experience and skills to drive better performance outcomes on our booming regional network and deliver the billions of dollars of upgrades currently underway.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020