Belgrave-Lilydale line commuters to face disruptions until late May
From tonight, commuters in Melbourne’s east will have to endure months of replacement buses due to level crossing removals – this is what it means for you.
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Commuters in Melbourne’s east will get their last chance this evening to enjoy a non-disrupted commute to and from the city for more than three months, with part of a busy railway line shutting down.
Buses will replace trains on part of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines from 8.30pm on Friday until late May, as major works are carried out to remove two level crossings and build a new combined railway station.
Passengers will have to hop on replacement buses between Camberwell and Box Hill railway stations before continuing their train rides.
Public Transport Victoria has not specified how long it will add onto commuters’ journeys, other than to “allow extra time”.
For some periods, the replacement bus route will be extended to Ringwood railway station for other works along the line.
The Mont Albert and Surrey Hills railway stations, both located just after Box Hill, are permanently closing and will be replaced with the new Union station in between.
Two level crossings will also be removed and replaced by an underground rail trench at Union Rd, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Rd, Mont Albert.
The LXRP is expecting 30,000 commuters to use the replacement buses each day and will have extra buses on standby to cater for demand.
The frequency of services will mirror the existing Belgrave and Lilydale train timetable as much as possible, with a mix of express and stopping all stations buses operating.
Extra express services are also planned between Box Hill and Camberwell, Blackburn and Camberwell and Ringwood and Parliament stations during peak times.
LXRP chief executive Kevin Devlin thanked the community in advance for their patience while the major works are carried out.
“These works are the start of making the area safer and providing easier access to local shops in the heart of both suburbs, and we thank the community for their patience while these important works are underway,” he said.
Earlier this month, Leader aired concerns from traders near Mont Albert railway station, who fear the train line shutdown will cause them further pain and lose more trade.
Churchill Cafe co-owner Hamid Nasirzadeh said he feared he would lose up to 30 regular customers due to the station closure and the extensive works.
“We’re definitely going to lose some customers who are not going to come back, they will get used to other places,” he said.
The LXRP team plan to launch a campaign offering shopping vouchers to customers so they can further support traders near the affected works.
Commuters can stay up to date with developments during the works period by visiting bigbuild.com.au and check service times through the PTV and Metro Trains websites.
BELGRAVE/LILYDALE LINE REPLACEMENT BUSES INFORMATION:
• Buses replacing trains between Camberwell and Box Hill stations from 8.30pm, February 17 until late May.
• Mixture of express and stopping all stations buses, with extra express buses in peak periods between Box Hill and Camberwell stations, Blackburn and Camberwell stations, and Ringwood and Parliament stations.
• Buses to replace trains between Camberwell and Ringwood stations on the following dates:
– 6am February 25 to 6am February 26
– 6am April 1 to 6am April 2
– 8.30pm March 10 to last service March 14
– 8.30pm May 5 to last service May 7
– 8.30pm May 12 to last service May 16
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