Buses will replace trains over three days next week, as trial operations continue within the Metro Tunnel and along the future continuous line from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham.
Buses will replace trains on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines between Parliament and Westall:
From the first service to 9pm on Monday, 14 and Tuesday, 15 April
From the first to last service on Thursday, 17 April.
Cranbourne and Pakenham trains will terminate and originate at Caulfield during further night works from 9pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Passengers should switch to a train on the Frankston Line for travel between the city and Caulfield.
Coaches will replace V/Line trains on the Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines between East Pakenham and Southern Cross on Monday and Tuesday, and some evening trains on Wednesday. Trains will continue to operate between East Pakenham, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
Regional passengers are encouraged to check the temporary coach replacement timetable before travelling, and to allow around 60 minutes extra for their journey. Coaches will not stop at Flinders Street (after 7pm), Richmond, Clayton or Berwick stations.
During this time, up to 18 trains per hour will operate along the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines and through the Metro Tunnel to gather critical data. Continuing trial operations include running through a wide range of scenarios involving the five new underground stations, and practicing emergency responses to major incidents so staff are fully prepared when the Metro Tunnel opens in 2025.
The Metro Tunnel will deliver twin 9km tunnels and five new CBD stations, connections to the City Loop and will enable more trains to run more often across Melbourne.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.transport.vic.gov.au. The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.
