Melbourne train strike: Metro timetable changes, service cancellations, commuter tips

MELBOURNE’S traffic is starting to build ahead of a four-hour train strike that is expected to cause chaos. How will it affect your trip to work?

The #trainstrike in pictures.

UPDATE:

MELBOURNE’S traffic is starting to build ahead of the four-hour train strike that will see roads jammed, commuters squeezed into early trains and trams packed all day.

Drivers have heeded advice to get into work early and as a result there’s heavy traffic inbound on the Monash, Calder, Tullamarine freeways and EastLink.

A motorist heading outbound on the Eastern Freeway told 3AW he was glad he wasn’t travelling in the other direction.

“There’s more lights (inbound) on this freeway than the MCG,” he said.

Another motorist said that inbound traffic at 5.45am on the Monash Freeway was similar to congestion seen at 6.30am to 7.30am.

VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria have urged those who can stay home to do so, with road congestion to be at peak hour levels all day long.

Metro workers are walking off the job between 10am and 2pm but commuters will feel the pain much longer.

Services will start thinning from 8.15am and are not expected to return to normal until 4.30pm.

Beating the #trainstrike 6.09 Mitcham #metrotrains #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/z1G7WmUHNJ

The seven hours of chaos are certain to throw travel plans into disarray and hurt businesses.

We will bring together as much information as possible to help you get to work on time - and decide whether to drive or use a different public transport service.

How will it affect your trip to work?

Scroll down for all the cancellation information, plus links to check updates from Metro.

Here’s what we know so far:

*Car parks are expected to fill early. And in a bid to reduce congestion, VicRoads has cancelled all roadworks within a 15km radius around the CBD.

* V/Line trains won’t stop at Metro train stations and will run express to Southern Cross between 10am and 2pm.

* There will be no extra trams to cope with increased passengers but 350 buses have been called in to help ferry train passengers on some routes.

* More than 500 part-time taxi operators have been given an exemption to drive all day and not just in their normal hours of 3pm-7am.

* Ride-share company Uber is offering discount fares to new customers.

The RACV has offered the following advice to commuters and drivers:

If travel is non-essential commuters should consider delaying their trip, however if they need to travel they should consider the following options:

* If train is your only means of transport, consider getting into the city early to avoid the stoppage

* If you are planning to catch a taxi, book ahead to avoid the rush.

* Join with friends and colleagues to car pool to work or school. If you are travelling by car be sure to check real time travel conditions.

* Ride your bike or walk to your destination. In the CBD you can hire a bike via the Melbourne Bike Share program.

* Train, bus and V/Line services will operate as usual.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has refused Metro’s offer of a 17 per cent pay rise over four years with changes to rostering, working conditions and training attached to the deal.

VicRoads acting director road operations Nick Fisher urged people to take the day off work if they could.

“We are encouraging that,” he said.

“We are looking at doubling of travel time at worst, at some of the worst routes.”

Metro boss Andrew Lezala blasted the union for opting for industrial action first, rather than work through negotiations.

“It seems such a waste and unnecessary disruption to Melbourne — it’s disgraceful,” he said.

More than 500 part-time taxi operators have been given an exemption to drive all day and not just in their normal hours of 3pm-7am.

Rogue ride share company Uber is offering discount fares to new customers.

RTBU state secretary Luba Grigorovitch accused Metro of not wanting to compromise with the union on working conditions.

“The actions of the company clearly look to strongarm workers into sacrificing health and safety to deliver flexibility that will only serve to boost profits at the expense of workers,” she said.

[e-mail]

Twitter updates: @AleksDevic @theheraldsun

Got other tips for getting to work on time tomorrow?

Leave them in our comments section below

News_Module: Melbourne Train Strike

Alamein line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. Details at http://t.co/xFWbdJNOsE pic.twitter.com/EvuYA1VcK5

Belgrave/Lilydale line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. http://t.co/zDgcjhWtin pic.twitter.com/Gz1AJw2f8f

Craigieburn line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. Info at http://t.co/kS73k82W8X pic.twitter.com/c8A7iBS7YY

Frankston/Stony Point line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow. Info http://t.co/F89Gk5A7LR pic.twitter.com/fFNZblcae4

Hurstbridge line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. Info http://t.co/tUAS7nrsmF pic.twitter.com/KClNixD7B6

Pakenham/Cranbourne line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow. Info http://t.co/eMGioB3lkg pic.twitter.com/LvspL5d2jE

South Morang line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. Info http://t.co/wnRmolDzCv pic.twitter.com/tEWIqiU03x

Sunbury line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. Info http://t.co/W8btYpiVnj pic.twitter.com/1a6pPJ7FbH

Upfield line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow morning. Info http://t.co/nMo2eICE4E pic.twitter.com/7yUv8sywOu

Werribee/Williamstown line customers - here is info on your last services for tomorrow. http://t.co/JYHBLOgKCR pic.twitter.com/5ptUrd7B7C