Public Transport Victoria warning train passengers to plan ahead as nine lines hit by March upgrades

Train passengers are warned to prepare for travel delays on nine Victorian train lines over the next three weeks during a major construction blitz. Which lines will be affected revealed.

Nine Victorian train lines will be hit with replacement buses over the next three weeks, as workers prepare for a major construction blitz.

Transport bosses have warned passengers on the Werribee, Mernda, Hurstbridge, Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston, Sandringham, Ballarat and Gippsland lines to prepare for disruptions.

The rolling disruption will initially hit the Werribee line between Laverton and Werribee on Wednesday and Thursday, before buses replace trains on the Hurstbridge line between Parliament and Heidelberg from Friday to March 20.

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Mernda line passengers will also have face the same fate between Parliament and Bell for the same five days, before disruptions between Thornbury and Epping on March 23 and 24.

The Hurstbridge and Mernda disruptions will make way for maintenance and renewal works, including the replacement of sleepers on the track on the Mernda line.

The works will force passengers off trains and on to buses. Picture: Rebecca Michael

Gippsland and Ballarat services will also be affected by preparatory work on overhead wiring and signal foundations.

Replacement buses have been schedule to ferry passengers to events, including the start of the AFL, the comedy festival and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Public Transport Victoria boss Jeroen Weimar said the fleet would ensure people could enjoy everything Melbourne has to offer, while the train network was upgraded.

Catching an evening #Werribee Line or #Williamstown Line @metrotrains this week?

🚍 Buses replace trains between North Melbourne, Newport & Williamstown after 8.30pm tonight & tomorrow. Further changes apply from Tuesday to Thursday.

Find out more: https://t.co/9UaoyIgbcu

— PTV (@ptv_official) March 10, 2019

“These essential works will pave the way for the larger April upgrades, including the much-anticipated Metro Tunnel, level crossing works and High Capacity Metro Trains,” he said.

“I want to thank passengers for their patience over the next two months as we upgrade our rail network.”

The rail disruptions come as Yarra Trams will replace Route 64 and 67 tracks along Glenhuntly Rd, between Hawthorn Road and Pearce St, from March 23 and 30.

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