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Rail disruptions in August
Riders are urged to plan ahead for rail disruptions on multiple lines this August. Note, bikes are not permitted on buses unless folded, in a bag, and the dimensions of a folded Brompton.
 

Metro Tunnel update

On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August, Metro Tunnel crews will test all the new systems and infrastructure as a dress rehearsal before the project opens to passengers.
 
Trains running on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines will run through the Metro Tunnel, so passengers will need to interchange at Footscray and Caulfield to complete their journey as they are unable to travel inside the tunnel.
 
Passenger information displays on the trains and platforms will reflect future services, so station staff will be present to help people understand how their journey will be affected. Passengers should pay close attention to live announcements.
 
There will be more full-day trial runs in the coming months as the Metro Tunnel prepares to open to passengers later this year.
 

Sunbury Line

Buses replace trains between North Melbourne and Sunbury from 9pm to last service on Monday 18, Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 August.
 
Buses replace trains between Watergardens and Sunbury from 9pm to last service on Thursday 21 August.
 
Buses also replace trains from 9pm, Friday 22 August, to last service, Sunday 24 August.
 
Rail replacement bus services at Diggers Rest Station will use the bus stops on the new road bridge.
 

Frankston Line

Buses replace trains between Cheltenham, Frankston and Stony Point from 8.30pm, Monday 18 August, to last service, Friday 29 August.
 
Buses replace trains extended between:
  • Cheltenham, Frankston and Stony Point stations from 8.30pm, Monday 18 August, to 8.30pm, Friday 22 August.
  • Caulfield, Frankston and Stony Point stations from 8.30pm, Friday 22 August, to last service Sunday 24 August.
  • Cheltenham, Frankston and Stony Point stations from 4am, Monday 25 August, to 8.30pm, Tuesday 26 August.
  • Moorabbin, Frankston and Stony Point stations from 8.30pm, Tuesday 26 August, to last service Thursday 28 August.
Trains on this line will run to an altered timetable between Flinders Street and Frankston stations from first service, Friday 29 August, to mid-2026.
 
 

Earlier disruptions

Cranbourne and Pakenham lines

Buses replace trains between Westall, Berwick and Cranbourne from 8.30pm Friday 1 August to last service Sunday 3 August.
 
Buses replace trains between Dandenong, Berwick and Cranbourne from first service Monday 4 August to 8.30pm Friday 8 August.
 
Buses replace trains between Westall, Cranbourne and East Pakenham from 8.30pm Friday 8 August to last service Sunday 10 August.
 
Buses replace trains between Westall, Berwick and Cranbourne from first service Monday 11 August to last service Wednesday 13 August.
 
Finally, buses replace trains from 9pm Friday 29 August to 5am Saturday 6 September between Parliament, Caulfield and Westall stations due to Surburban Rail Loop project works.
 

Frankston line

Buses will replace trains from approximately 8.30pm Friday 1 August to last service Sunday 3 August between Caulfield and Mordialloc.
 
Buses will also replace trains from approximately 1.30am–3.30am Saturday 2 August between Federation Square and Carrum due to an operation system software upgrade.

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