Dreaded bus replacements for commuters at Wyndham Vale, Tarneit stations

V/Line commuters in Melbourne’s west are set to be forced on to buses for four weeks, more than doubling some peak-hour commute times.

Bus replacements will more than double some peak hour commutes. Picture: Nicole Garmston

More pain is coming for commuters in Melbourne’s west with V/Line passengers from outer-suburban stations forced on to buses for four weeks.

West Gate Tunnel works means that coaches will replace peak-hour trains at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit on weekdays from July 10 to July 21 and again from July 31 to August 11.

The usual 35-minute journey from Wyndham Vale to Southern Cross is expected to take well over an hour as the bus battles West Gate Freeway traffic and roadworks made worse when workers return after school holidays on Monday.

To add salt into the wounds, Geelong V/Line express trains will still run through the stations while commuters line up for the bus.

And any passengers wanting to go to Footscray from Wyndham Vale and Tarneit will have to catch a shuttle bus to Sunshine, then a Metro train.

Disruptions to the Ballarat line also means some weekday peak-hour services from Bacchus Marsh will have bus replacements.

West Gate Tunnel project works have impacted some train services. Picture: West Gate Tunnel Project

The changes are because fewer trains can pass under the Dynon Rd works causing limited capacity at Southern Cross. The road is closed until August 31 between Dryburgh St and the CityLink ramps in both directions as works continue to built a massive road over Footscray Rd to link to the tunnel.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said passengers from Wyndham Vale and Tarneit would face a slow journey on the bus through traffic.

“There will be significant delays coming into the city during that time.’’

Queues and crowding were likely as bus services struggled to cope with demand, he said.

“Some people though have just given up and are working at home but that’s not always possible.’’

West Gate Tunnel Project executive project director Peter Lellyett said a massive amount of works were taking place this winter.

“We’re working hard to ensure commuters are informed and prepared for these disruptions, we thank commuters for their patience.”

Wyndham resident and pensioner Carol Davy faced more time at home because of the road and rail havoc and missed out catching up with friends in the city.

“I haven’t been anywhere in the past week and a half. And for the next two weeks I’m effectively locked in.

“It’s so frustrating. I don’t know how working people cope.’’

The change comes after two weeks of bus replacement chaos on the Williamstown and Werribee rail lines and with state government urging people to work from home if they could.

The West Gate Tunnel project is continuing to cause havoc to the road and rail network.

And the outbound entry to the Princes Freeway from Geelong Rd is shut until August 2.

Also next week, buses will replace trains on the Stony Point, Mernda, Hurstbridge, Frankston and Sunbury Metro lines.

Travellers were urged to check the PTV website for updates.