Overview
The past year has been a bit of a disruptive one for Melbourne's public transport network, with train closures in January, April, July and September — and we're not over it yet. As construction continues on the the Metro Tunnel, the Victorian Government has announced that sections of six Melbourne train lines, one tram line and two V/Line services will be closed at some point between January 2 and February 16.
What does that mean? Replacement buses. If you travel on the Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Sandringham, Stony Point or Upfield lines, you'll most likely have to switch from the train to a bus at some point on your commute.
If you travel on the Frankston line, you'll be the most affected, as buses will replace trains between various stops for more than six weeks until February 16. The Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will have four weeks of interruptions until January 30.
Here's what we know so far about what's happening on each of the affected lines.
- Frankston and Stony Point: Buses will replace trains between Parliament/Flinders Street and Mordialloc stations from January 4–5, between Flinders Street and Moorabbin from January 6–12, between Flinders Street/Parliament and Caulfield from January 13–30, and between Frankston and Stony Point until February 16.
- Cranbourne and Pakenham: Buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Westall stations from January 4–12, and between Parliament/Flinders Street and Caulfield stations from January 13–30.
- Sandringham: Buses will replace trains between Parliament and Elsternwick stations from 8.30pm until the last train each night between January 20–23 and January 27–30.
- Upfield: Buses will replace trains between North Melbourne and Upfield stations from February 7–9.
Image: Global Panorama via Flickr.
Plus, if you catch the Route 96 tram, you'll be affected as well. Buses will replace trams between Moore Street and the East Brunswick Terminus until January 19.
Also, V/Line services will be affected. Coaches will replace trains on the Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines until January 30. Something to take into account before you make any big weekend plans.
The train closures this time round will see crews excavate the final section of the Metro Tunnel entrance, creating room for the new track that will connect the existing lines to the tunnel. In addition, they'll complete major concreting works at the entrance of the tunnel, pour the final sections of the tunnel roof slab and install the tunnel support structures — and, on the V/Line, conduct maintenance works underway between Morwell and Bairnsdale.
The tram closure will enable the building of six new accessible tram stops.
For up-to-date info, your best bet is to check the disruptions map on the government's Big Build website.