On the buses for footy fans; train tracks almost repaired

Dedicated footy fans took extended trips into the MCG on Saturday night as trains remain cancelled on two of Melbourne’s busiest lines.

Melbourne and Carlton fans commuting from Melbourne’s north and east braved not only a wet and chilly winter’s night but also replacement buses, as works continue on the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines after a train derailed between Rushall and Clifton Hill stations on Sunday.

Bukurie Nazifovski and her family had to allow for an extra hour to make the game. Credit: Paul Jeffers

Metro Trains had additional buses on standby to ferry passengers directly to the MCG as tens of thousands of AFL fans converge for a showdown between two struggling rivals.

It took Bukurie Nazifovski and her family, Akira and Archie Webb, an extra hour to make it to the MCG from Merrifield, a community near Mickleham.

Describing the process as “time-consuming” Nazifovski drove to Clifton Hill station to take a bus direct to Jolimont station near the MCG, instead of taking her usual commute from Thomastown station.

“It took a while longer than normal,” she said. But after finding a park at Clifton Hill, the family only waited about 10 minutes to board a bus and were directed by helpful Metro staff.

The train carriage was lifted from the tracks via crane on Tuesday. Credit: Nine

About 100,000 passengers use the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines daily and Jolimont station, which neighbours the MCG, would normally be unloading packed carriages before the opening siren. But today fans unloaded from frequent replacement buses instead.

Carlton fan Cinzia, who travelled via bus from Reservoir, said the 40-minute journey was better than expected.

“It wasn’t packed as like the trains were,” she said. “I thought it was going to be hundreds of people on there.”

“I thought there wasn’t going to be enough buses.”

A replacement bus on Saturday night outside Parliament station. Credit: Paul Jeffers

It’s been nearly one week since a city-bound X’Trapolis 100 train became derailed and initially caused major delays. Some commuters complained of overcrowded trams as commuters seek alternative transport, while others praised helpful Metro staff coordinating replacement buses.

Repair works are continuing on the rail line so services can resume on Monday morning, a Metro Trains spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.

The train hit a trackside pillar and damaged about 100 metres of track when its fifth carriage came off the tracks. The carriage’s bogie and wheel was severely damaged and required the carriage to be removed by crane on Tuesday afternoon.

The cause is still unknown and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said Victoria’s Office of the Chief Investigator had launched an investigation.

Saturday night gave both Melbourne and Carlton a chance to inspire their fans, with teams have had disappointing seasons, recording six wins and 11 losses apiece to sit 12th and 13th on the ladder.

Despite an underwhelming season for their beloved Demons and the long journey to the ’G, it was worth it for Nazifovski and Archie and Akira Webb, who, clad in red and navy blue, all tipped the Dees.