Coaches replacing trains for Gippsland commuters in May and June

Picture: ON FILE

Commuters travelling between the city and Gippsland are advised coaches will replace trains between Southern Cross, Traralgon and Bairnsdale for more than six weeks, starting Friday 3 May, as works progress on the Gippsland Line Upgrade.

Passengers are asked to allow 60 minutes extra for the journey by coach from 8pm on Friday 3 May to the last service on Tuesday 18 June.

Replacement coach services will not stop at Flinders Street, Richmond, Caulfield, Clayton, Dandenong and Berwick stations.

Shuttle buses will be available for passengers travelling between Caulfield, Dandenong and Pakenham, while the use of Metro Trains services at Pakenham or Southern Cross is recommended to connect with other metropolitan stations.

Passengers should also be aware that buses will replace metropolitan train services on sections of the Pakenham Line at times during this period, due to Level Crossing Removal and Metro Tunnel works.

During May and June, crews on the Gippsland Line Upgrade will carry out complex signalling work, safety testing and driver training.

The works will also include completing the new duplicated track at Bunyip station and laying new track at Longwarry station.

The level crossing at Kennedy Street, Longwarry will be closed to traffic and pedestrians from Saturday 4 May to Monday 20 May.

Local traffic can use the rail crossings at Bunyip, Garfield and Tynong, while heavy vehicles must use the Princes Highway, the crossing at Nar Nar Goon and Nar Nar Goon-Longwarry Road.

These works will prepare the line for a new signalling system which, in conjunction with completed track works and station upgrades already delivered as part of the project, will enable more services and help to future-proof the line.

For more information, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or access the PTV mobile app.