Buses to replace Waurn Ponds-Geelong trains

THE start of works on the railway line in Geelong and further west towards Warrnambool have started, as have changes to train services and the addition of replacement buses.

While trains are not operating on the line, crews will complete commissioning and driver training for Stage 1 of the Warrnambool Line upgrade, including testing signalling upgrades between Warncoort and Warrnambool.

Major construction on the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Duplication has begun, with crews establishing a site compound at South Geelong Station, and site investigations taking place at Marshall Station and along the rail corridor.

Coaches began replacing trains on the Warrnambool Line between Geelong and Warrnambool on the afternoon of Friday last week, and will do so until December 3.

Geelong Line trains will continue to operate between Geelong and Southern Cross.

Coaches will also replace the 5.39pm from Warrnambool to Southern Cross Station for the entire journey on November 28 and November 29.

Passengers should allow 30 minutes extra for the journey by coach.

On the Geelong Line, coaches began replacing all trains between Waurn Ponds and Geelong on Saturday, and this will continue until the last service on December 3.

The following weekday services will be replaced by coaches for the entire journey: the 5.56am from Geelong to Southern Cross, and the 4.31pm from Southern Cross to Geelong.

Additionally, coaches will replace the following evening services for the entire journey, due to V/Line maintenance:

From Waurn Ponds/Geelong to Southern Cross Station, between 9.30pm and the last service on November 27

From Southern Cross Station to Geelong/Waurn Ponds, between 9pm and the last service on November 27

From Waurn Ponds/Geelong to Southern Cross Station, between 8.30pm and the last service on November 28 and November 29, and

From Southern Cross Station to Geelong/Waurn Ponds, between 9pm and the last service on November 28 and November 29.

Passengers should allow up to 40 minutes extra for their journey by coach.

The Department of Transport is encouraging passengers to check the PTV website or mobile app before travelling as replacement coaches to Geelong will depart Waurn Ponds, Marshall and South Geelong up to 27 minutes earlier than the usual train timetable.

Passengers are encouraged to head to ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions for more information and to plan their journey.

Temporary timetables for the Geelong and Warrnambool lines are available from the PTV website.