Ballarat and Bendigo line trains returned on Monday 18 July following a two-week closure for the beginning of major construction of the Regional Rail Link project.
V/Line took advantage of the two week shut down to do critical maintenance works on the Ballarat and Bendigo lines. These works included:
- Removing mud holes
- Renewing signalling
- Track Resurfacing
- Hazardous trees maintenance
- Upgrading drainage
- Refurbishing selected level crossings
- Rail embankment stabilisation
During the closure 1364 trains were replaced with 8186 special bus services.
V/Line Chief Executive Officer Rob Barnett said passenger feedback was generally positive about the rail replacement buses with most people understanding the longer term benefits of the project.
“We understand for some people catching the bus was not as convenient as the train and most trips were longer,” he said.
“However most passenger feedback was that the buses were well organised and there were more than enough to get people where they needed to go.”
The number of people travelling during the two week period was estimated to have fallen up to 36 per cent or 4000 less people across the Ballarat and Bendigo lines when compared to the same time last year.
“Many people made significant changes to their travel over the past two weeks – whether that is catching buses earlier in the mornings, taking annual leave, working from home, or using other means to travel,” Mr Barnett said.
“We’re really grateful for the dedication our customers have shown.”
Future Regional Rail Link related works will be communicated will in advance to allow people to plan holidays and general travel arrangements.
Works are not planned for the busy September school holiday period when the AFL Grand Final series and Royal Melbourne Show are being held.
Project Overview
Regional Rail Link is a new $4.3 billion rail line that will provide capacity for enough extra train services for up to 9,000 passengers across the network in the peak hour.
Regional Rail Link will run from West Werribee to Deer Park and along the existing rail corridor through suburbs including Sunshine and Footscray to Southern Cross Station.
Regional Rail Link separates regional trains from metropolitan trains – for the first time giving Geelong, Bendigo, and Ballarat trains their own dedicated tracks through the metropolitan system from Sunshine to Southern Cross Station.
The Regional Rail Link project will also include two new stations – one at Wyndham Vale and one at Tarneit.
At times the replacement bus services related to the RRL project may impact on traffic in Melbourne's western suburbs. For the latest information on road conditions visit the VicRoads live traffic advice webpage at http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au.
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