V/Line’s chief executive Theo Taifalos has resigned after the system was plagued by mass cancellations and delays for the past three weeks.

The Victorian Government confirmed Mr Taifolos tendered his resignation and will be replaced by Public Transport Victoria’s interim CEO Gary Liddle.

Problems with carriage wheels and a boom gate fault led to the cancellation of up to 70 V/Line services a day.

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Mr Taifalos said he tendered his resignation to V/Line chair Jenny Dawson on Wednesday night.

He said they both believed the organisation would be best served by a new leader.

“I am grateful for the almost three years I have spent at V/Line, leading a very passionate team through a time of unprecedented growth,” he said in a statement.

“Together we have transformed V/Line into an organisation focused on safety and customers.

“I wish the V/Line team all the best as they continue on this journey of change.”

Transport Minister Jacinta Allan apologised for the recent disruptions and offered passengers an extra week of free train travel.

Commuters will now travel free until the last service on Sunday February 7.

Customers using Myki money will not have to touch on during that period, and Myki passholders will receive an automatic reimbursement equivalent to the 16 days free travel being provided, V/Line said.

However the free travel does not extend regional town bus services.

Since Saturday, V/Line has been running free train and coach services for commuters to compensate for the mass cancellations of services.

In a statement, V/Line said they had accelerated their maintenance program and had “crews working around the clock to return services to normal as quickly as possible”.