Buses to replace trains on more than half of Melbourne’s rail lines

Commuters are facing weeks of misery as buses replace trains on more than half of Melbourne’s rail network. See which lines are impacted.

Passengers should get familiar with this sign during the school holidays.

More than half of Melbourne’s rail network will have bus replacement services next week as winter works cause major disruptions and delays to frustrated commuters.

On Monday, nine of the network’s 16 lines will be out of action at some point along the journey, at times for the entire line.

The school holiday works are because of level-crossing works and other line upgrades.

The changes start this weekend with service disruptions to nine lines - Cranbourne, Pakenham, Sunbury, Upfield, Craigieburn, Werribee, Williamstown, Frankston and Stony Point.

The chaos will get even worse on Sunday, July 9, with works and buses replacing trains on 10 lines. The turmoil eases as schools return on July 10 with just three lines interrupted.

Overcrowding is a common issue for peak-hour passengers queuing for replacement buses.

The travel havoc comes after the government last week urged commuters in the west to work from home or travel outside busy times to avoid road and rail interruptions.

Two level-crossing removals at Neerim Rd and Glen Huntly Rd means that passengers from Mordialloc will have to make the entire journey into the city by bus.

Sunbury Line passengers too will have to take the bus between Flagstaff and Sunshine from Monday for a week.

And from Friday night for a whole fortnight, buses will run from Newport and Williamstown to Flagstaff.

And on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines, buses will replace trains after 8pm between Burnley and Westall.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said Victorians should check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey.

“We’re getting on with delivering the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and level crossing removals, projects that will slash travel times and congestion on our roads, transforming the way Victorians travel.

“Thousands of Big Build workers will be working around the clock during the school holidays to minimise disruptions.”

Disruptions are also occurring on the V/Line regional network - on sections of the Bairnsdale, Geelong, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough, Bendigo, Echuca, Swan Hill, Sheppartonand Seymour lines.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said Melbourne’s commuters were again facing substantial delays, especially at peak hour.

“I think people know that this is all part of the upgrade of the network but the repeated closures on many lines do try people’s patience,’’ Mr Bowen said.

“And if you couple that with people being unsure of where to catch the bus, and delays, crowding and a lack of on-road priority for buses, it’s a trying time.’’

Passengers are urged to check with Public Transport Victoria for travel updates.

West Gate Tunnel project and related works are causing most of the travel headaches in the city’s west, prompting the stay-at-home call.

The latest changes include Dynon Rd in West Melbourne being closed between Dryburgh St and CityLink ramps in both directions until August 31.

And the outbound entry from Geelong Rd, Brooklyn, on to the Princes Freeway will be shut until August 2.

On Wednesday, it was also confirmed that Craigieburn Rd would close between Hanson Rd and Bridgewater Rd for eight weeks for upgrade works, from Friday night.