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Rail disruptions this spring

Riders should plan ahead this spring with several train disruptions expected.

Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines

There will be service changes between Southern Cross and Bacchus March stations from first service, Saturday 30 August to last service, Sunday 31 August.
 
Travel advice for passengers at Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Wendouree, Beaufort, Ararat, Creswick, Clunes, Talbot, Maryborough stations
 
  • To Southern Cross: Express coaches will run between Bacchus Marsh and Southern Cross.
  • To stations between Melton and Sunshine: Stopping all stations buses will run between Bacchus Marsh and Sunshine.
  • To Footscray: First catch a coach to Southern Cross, then a Metro train to Footscray.
Travel advice for passengers at Melton Station
 
  • To Footscray or Southern Cross: Catch a shuttle bus between Melton and Watergardens, then a Sunbury Line Metro train between Watergardens and Southern Cross.
  • To stations between Baccus Marsh and Sunshine: Catch a replacement bus.
  • To Ballarat, Ararat or Maryborough: Catch a bus to Bacchus Marsh, then a V/Line train.
Travel advice for passengers at Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs, Deer Park and Ardeer stations
 
  • To Footscray or Southern Cross: Catch a bus to Sunshine, then a Metro train to Southern Cross.
  • To Melton or Bacchus Marsh: Catch a replacement bus.
  • To Ballarat, Ararat or Maryborough: Catch a bus to Bacchus Marsh, then a V/Line train.
Passengers should note that there is limited space for bikes on V/Line trains and coach replacement services. Bikes are not allowed on low-floor bus replacement services.
 
For more information, visit the V/Line website.
 
There will also be disruptions on the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines from first service, Sunday 6 September to last service, Sunday 14 September, due to level crossing removal works at Melton.
 
Trains will run between Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough and Bacchus Marsh.
 
Buses will run between Bacchus Marsh and Caroline Springs.
 
Trains will run between Caroline Springs and Southern Cross.
 
Passengers should note that bikes are not allowed on bus replacement services.
 
More information can be found here.
 

Frankston line

Buses replace trains between South Yarra and Caulfield from 8.30pm to last service each night, Monday 1 September to Wednesday 3 September.
 
Train services will run to an altered timetable between Flinders Street and Frankston stations from first service, Friday 29 August to mid-2026. Visit the Transport Victoria website for more information.
 

Cranbourne and Pakenham line

Buses replace trains:
 
  • between Caulfield and Westall from 9pm Friday 29 August to last service Sunday 31 August, and from 1am to 5am, Saturday 6 September
  • between Parliament, Caulfield and Westall from first service Monday 1 September to 1am Saturday 6 September, and from first service Monday 8 September to last service Thursday 11 September
  • between South Yarra and Westall from 8.30pm to last service each night, Monday 1 September to Wednesday 3 September
Additionally, from 9pm to last service each night, Monday 15 September to Wednesday 17 September, trains run direct to and from Flinders Street, not via the City Loop.
 

Mernda and Hurstbridge lines

Buses replace trains from 10.40pm, Friday 29 August, to last service Sunday 31 August.
 

Sunbury line

Buses replace trains between North Melbourne and Sunshine from first service Monday 8 September to last service Thursday 11 September.
 

Werribee and Williamstown lines

Buses replace trains between Newport and Werribee: 
 
  • from 10.30pm Friday 29 August to 5am Saturday 30 August
  • from 10.30pm Saturday 30 August to 6am Sunday 31 August
  • from 8.30pm to last service Sunday 31 August
  • from 10.30pm Friday 5 September to 5am Saturday 6 September
  • from 10.30pm Saturday 6 September to 6am Sunday 7 September
  • from 8.30pm to last service each night, Sunday 7 September to Thursday 11 September
  • and at specific times from 10.30pm Friday 12 September to last service Sunday 14 September (check Transport Victoria for most up-to-date information).
Buses also replace trains between North Melbourne, Werribee and Williamstown from 8.25pm to last service each night, Monday 15 September to Wednesday 17 September.
 
Finally, buses replace trains between North Melbourne, Werribee and Williamstown; Flagstaff, North Melbourne, Laverton and Williamstown; and Flagstaff, North Melbourne, Werribee and Williamstown at specific times from 11pm Saturday 20 September to last service Wednesday 24 September (check Transport Victoria for most up-to-date information).

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