Geelong line trains cancelled after Little River track fault

Geelong line commuters experienced disruption due to a track fault on Tuesday, and further pain is on the way with upcoming service cancellations for Metro Tunnel works.

Commuters were hit with more disruptions on Tuesday. Picture: Alan Barber

Long-suffering Geelong commuters faced yet another morning of pain on Tuesday, with buses replacing V/Line trains betweenLara and Wyndham Vale due to a track fault.

The Geelong line cancellations, which left travellers frustrated and angry, were caused by an issue at Little River and cameahead of more disruptions later this week.

“So will there be compensation to travellers who have been held up by several hours?” Addy reader and commuter Nat asked.

“Last week it took over an hour for replacement buses to arrive at Lara to travel to Wyndham, then everyone had to get metro trains into Melbourne. Not good enough, V/Line.

“Geelong travellers already have to put up with substandard trains, overcrowded carriages and a longer journey by detouring through Tarniet, Sunshine etc … an apology for ‘inconveniencing’ passengers just isn’t good enough.”

Work crews at the scene on Tuesday carried out repairs until just after noon

Passengers will face further disruptions later this week and across the weekend, with Metro Tunnel works affecting Geelongline services.

Friday’s 12.15am and 1.15am trains from Southern Cross to Waurn Ponds will be replaced by buses, while the 10.52pm servicefrom Waurn Ponds to Southern Cross will also be replaced by a bus.

Passengers are advised to allow an additional 40 minutes of travel time.

Buses will replace trains between Southern Cross and Sunshine on Saturday and Sunday, with trains due to run between Sunshineand Waurn Ponds.

Sunday’s 8.30pm Waurn Ponds to Southern Cross and 10pm Southern Cross to Waurn Ponds services will be entirely replaced bybuses.

Night services on Monday and Tuesday will also be affected, with coaches to replace trains for all services from SouthernCross from 9pm and trains from Waurns Ponds from 8pm until the last service.

“All train services will be replaced by a mix of express and stopping all stations coach services,” a V/Line statement read.

The fault is the latest in a number of disruptions to hit the Geelong line.

Last Wednesday, buses replaces trains on the same section of line following a different track fault at Little River.

Services finally resumed just after midday when repairs were completed.

On June 25, services were temporarily suspended following a boom gate fault at the notorious North Shore level crossing.

Public Transport Users Association Geelong branch convener Jarrod Crowe said the delays were frustrating for commuters.

One commuter said the disruptions were “disgraceful”.

Another said: “The never ending story! Day after day. Not a day goes by without some form of delay.”

According to V/Line data, punctuality on the Geelong line was 89.2 per cent in May, below the operator’s 92 per cent target.

Originally published as Geelong line trains cancelled after Little River track fault