Major V/Line works to disrupt Geelong commuters

Geelong commuters have been hit with massive delays and are being warned their train journey to and from Melbourne will take up to 75 minutes longer than usual. 

Train delays are expected throughout April. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong commuters have been hit with massive delays, with the journey to and from Melbourne taking up to 75 minutes longer than usual each way.

The massive delays are being caused by major works, and will impact football fans making their way to the region to watch the Geelong Football Club take on the Sydney Swans for a grand final rematch at GMHBA stadium on April 22.

The Geelong line is closed between Wyndham Vale and Southern Cross until April 21 due to a level crossing removal at Deer Park and general V/Line maintenance.

Trains are not running between Wyndham Vale and Southern Cross, meaning Geelong line passengers  have to switch to the Werribee line.

Passengers travelling to Southern Cross and Footscray will be forced to catch a Geelong train to Wyndham Vale, a shuttle bus to Werribee Station and a metropolitan train from Werribee to Southern Cross.

Passengers travelling from Tarneit to Southern Cross and Footscray  have to catch a shuttle bus to Laverton Station to complete their journey on a metro trains service.

Meanwhile, passengers travelling to Geelong are forced to catch a Werribee line train to Werribee, a shuttle bus to Wyndham Vale, then a train to Geelong.

Passengers travelling to Tarneit will catch a Werribee line train to Laverton, then a shuttle bus to Tarneit.

A stopping all stations shuttle bus will also run between Wyndham Vale, Tarneit, Deer Park and Sunshine.

From April 22-23 buses will replace trains for the entire journey between Southern Cross and Waurn Ponds.

From April 24 to May 3, buses will replaces trains between Wyndham Vale and Waurn Ponds, with trains to run between Southern Cross and Wyndham Vale.

During the disruption, a direct ferry service will be available to book each weekday morning and evening between Geelong and Docklands as an alternative travel option.

A V/Line spokesman said: “We want our passengers to be able to plan their journey with confidence so we’ll be developing detailed temporary timetables which outline the service changes during each part of the works.”

Originally published as Major V/Line works to disrupt Geelong commuters