Journey times have nearly doubled for some Macedon Ranges V/Line users who have to catch buses as level crossing removal works continue, according to the deputy opposition leader.
Buses replaced trains this month on the Bendigo line which has been shut down until October 30 while work to remove two dangerous and congested level crossings, at Main Road and Furlong Road in St Albans, is undertaken.
More than $46 million in improvement works on the V/Line Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca lines is happening at the same time to minimise disruption to passengers.
A month of road and rail closures until November has also been scheduled as major works on the Sunbury/Bendigo line are completed.
David Hodgett, opposition public transport spokesman, said in a letter to
Star Weekly that commuters from Gisborne to Castlemaine were sitting on the coach service for 72 minutes compared to what would be a 34-minute trip by train.
Mr Hodgett lashed out at the government and Public Transport Victoria for what he believes to be “appalling” treatment of Macedon Ranges V/Line users during level crossing removal at Sunshine.
“[This is] appalling treatment for at least 27 days being experienced by Macedon Ranges rail users,” he said. “Commuters have been shunted into tens of costly, slow road coaches for the whole of a trip. This has hugely increased some journey times.”
Mr Hodgett said careful planning would have minimised disruption to travellers.
“Some current Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill line works, such as sleeper replacement and rerailing, could occur at night between the last train and the first scheduled train next morning,” he said. “V/Line could cancel late night Bendigo-bound trains to give contractors a longer ‘window’ to occupy tracks at night. Bridge works could be staged.
“The Andrews government [has] ensured Metro trains mostly keep running between October 4 and 30 from Flinders Street to Sunshine … no such luck for Clarkefield, Gisborne, Lancefield, Macedon or Riddells Creek residents for at least 27 days.”
Macedon Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas sympathised with commuters.
“We recognise the temporary closure of the line is disruptive, but it’s essential to keep passengers and workers safe and deliver these works efficiently,” she said.
She said the state government had restored and increased funding to V/Line, ordered 48 new carriages and added more than 340 extra services every week, with 170 more to be introduced next year.
