Plan your train travel this week

There is a nine-day construction blitz on the Ballarat Line Upgrade requiring trains to be replaced by coaches.
Regional Rail Revival Director Mark Havryluk is reminding Ballarat line passengers and commuters to plan ahead and allow 45 minutes’ extra travel time.
“Coaches have already replaced trains from last Saturday 8 December and will continue to do so until Sunday 16 December, while more than 300 crew members get on with construction,” he said.
The construction works include track duplication, major station upgrades and putting the final touches on new train stabling at Maddingley.
Mr Havryluk said while trains are not running, crews will shift sections of the existing track to allow for additional track to be laid between Caroline Springs Station and Melton as part of the 18-kilometre duplication in this section.
“Preparation work will also begin for new tracks to be laid between Bacchus Marsh Station and the Maddingley stabling, and we’ll continue construction on the Millbrook and Ballan passing loops.”
At Ballan Station foundations will be installed for the new accessible pedestrian overpass.
Mr Havryluk said the work had been scheduled at the same time as V/Line maintenance work, to minimise disruption to passengers, and thanked people for their understanding during the works blitz.
“Passengers can look forward to improved stations, extra services and better reliability once the project is complete in late 2019,” he said.
Passengers can plan their journey at vline.com.au or by calling 1800 800 007, a temporary timetable is available online or at a staffed V/Line station.