Regional Rail Link planned works

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Station closure set to hit travel times

Station closure set to hit travel times
Benjamin Preiss
May 17, 2011 - 12:53PM

Plans to close a railway station in Melbourne's west for more than two weeks could cause major delays, the Public Transport Users Association says.

The state government is expected to call a press conference this afternoon confirming the closure of Tottenham railway station for 15 days in July.

The shutdown would affect commuters on the Bendigo and Ballarat lines as well as passengers on the Sydenham line.
Advertisement: Story continues below

Closure of the Sydenham line from Sunshine into the CBD will be effective from end of the day on Friday 1 July to Monday 18 July.

There will be more closures of this section of the line over the next three years.

There will also be a temporary pedestrian bridge built at Albion railway station.

All Sydenham line trains to the city will terminate at Sunshine, but anyone wanting to go to the CBD or North Melbourne must get off the station before — Albion - and get a bus to Flemington Racecourse.

PTUA regional spokesman Paul Westcott said the closure of a suburban station for more than two weeks was "completely unprecedented".

"It's very rare for a suburban service to be closed for that long," he said.

He said the closure could add up to 20 minutes to the journey for regional commuters.

The shutdown will allow for work on the separation of V/Line tracks from suburban tracks for the Regional Rail Project.

A spokeswoman for Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said there would be a press conference at 1.30pm.

With Clay Lucas

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/station-closure-set-to-hit-travel-times-20110517-1eqnn.html#ixzz1MZj4REMn

[ozbob]

http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/web23/Home.nsf/AllDocs/50461A8D2E941676CA25788C0018E05F?OpenDocument

Regional Rail Link planned works
17 May 2011

Temporary rail line closures: Ballarat, Bendigo and Sydenham lines 1-18 July

Throughout the July school holidays (1-18 July) the following lines will be temporarily closed:

   Ballarat
   Bendigo
   Sydenham between Albion and Footscray railway stations

During this time, construction works will take place for Regional Rail Link and the Sunbury Electrification Project. Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line will carry out essential maintenance.

While the Ballarat, Bendigo and Sydenham lines are closed, the following works will take place:

   The existing Sydenham line tracks will be realigned between Tottenham and Sunshine railway stations as part of the Regional Rail Link. Realigning the tracks will provide the appointed contractor with a safer working environment and greater flexibility to deliver the project when they come on board in 2012.

   The Sunbury Electrification Project will undertake station upgrade works at Sunbury and Diggers Rest stations.

   Metro Trains Melbourne will undertake essential maintenance works to tracks, overhead wiring, platforms, bridge and viaduct foundations, and drainage.

   V/Line will undertake maintenance activities and major renewal and embankment works along both the Ballarat and Bendigo corridors.

Carrying out works together during July helps to reduce future disruption for rail passengers and the community.

   View a map of Sydenham line works (PDF, 370 KB, 1p.)
   View a map of Ballarat and Bendigo line works (PDF, 370 KB, 1p.)
   View a map of Sunbury Electrification Project works (PDF, 370 KB, 1p.)


Frequently asked questions

Why is this happening?

Together, we are working hard to make improvements to the transport network.

Construction works for Regional Rail Link and the Sunbury Electrification Project and essential maintenance by Metro Trains Melbourne and V/Line will be carried out during the rail closure to improve the network and minimise future disruption to rail passengers and the community.

Temporary rail network closures enable construction works to take place in the rail corridor that cannot be undertaken while the trains are running.

Coordinating construction and maintenance works also enables works to be carried out now that would require separate occupations to complete eg: V/Line will undertake works to repair embankments affected by the recent Victorian floods.

Why are the rail closures happening in July?

Traditionally, school holidays are a quieter time on the rail network, so carrying out works during the July school holidays will help to minimise the impact on rail passengers. It also frees up the buses needed to continue transporting people around the network.

What impact will there be on Metro rail passengers?

During the rail closure, travel times will be extended and there will be significant disruptions to rail passengers.

From Monday to Friday from first train to 9pm

Express buses will run between Albion and Flemington Racecourse stations, and between Sunshine and Flemington Racecourse stations where dedicated trains will take passengers via North Melbourne to CBD stations.

Stopping all stations buses will also run between Sunshine and Footscray railway stations where passengers can connect to a Werribee, Williamstown or Laverton train to get to CBD stations.

After 9pm and on weekends

Buses will run from Watergardens (Sydenham) to Footscray railway stations, stopping all stations. Special Sydenham line trains will run between Footscray and CBD stations.

Werribee line passengers will not be directly impacted by the July rail closure.

What impact will there be on V/Line rail passengers?

During the rail closure, travel times will be extended and there will be significant disruption to rail passengers. More information on the impact to travel times will be available in the coming weeks.

Buses will replace trains from Bendigo railway station to Southern Cross Station, and from Ballarat railway station to Southern Cross Station.

A combination of express coaches to Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and Bacchus Marsh stations will also run in addition to stopping all stations coaches.

V/Line long distance services will see a combination of trains and buses operate over this period - trains will continue to run between Ararat/Maryborough and Ballarat and connect with buses to Melbourne. Trains will also run between Swan Hill/Echuca and Bendigo and connect with buses to Melbourne.

From when and where will people be able to get more detailed information about how to plan their trip?

Details of bus replacement services are currently being finalised and more detailed information will be available from mid-June.

Information to help you plan your journey will be available from:

Website: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au

Phone: 131 638 (Sydenham line)
136 196 (Ballarat and Bendigo lines)

To learn more about the project view our publications, contact us, and subscribe to our electronic newsletter.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Major works on western suburbs and country trains to hurt commuters

Major works on western suburbs and country trains to hurt commuters

   Ashley Gardiner, Stephen McMahon
   From: Herald Sun
   May 17, 2011 12:00AM

UPDATE 1.54pm: WESTERN suburbs and country train commuters face massive disruptions due to major works in July.

The Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo lines will be shut from July 1 to July 18 to coincide with school holidays.

Buses will replace trains on the Sydenham line between Albion and Footscray.

Those buses will run from Albion and Sunshine to the Flemington Racecourse platform.

Buses will also replace V/Line services on the Ballarat and Bendigo lines.

The works are part of the Regional Rail Link project to separate V/Line and Metro trains in the western suburbs.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said there would be inconvenience.

"This temporary shutdown will allow construction and maintenance work on rail lines that can't be done while the trains are running," Mr Mulder said.

"Be patient, because in the end we will have a far better rail system."

The news comes as new data from the Department of Transport shows almost one-in-three morning peak-hour trains are overcrowded, with more than 1000 passengers on some journeys along the busier lines.

And the problem is only going to get worse, with the Victorian Government forecasting massive growth in public-transport patronage over the next 12 months ...

[ozbob]

Victoria is getting on with it, Queensland just tinkers with a few branches .... and delays critical projects ..

[ozbob]

http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/ballaratservicechanges/948108239/article.aspx

Regional Rail Link works begin

Tuesday 17 May

The exciting first steps towards a dedicated regional rail track through the Melbourne metropolitan rail network will soon take place with significant construction works to begin in the July school holidays.

The Minister for Transport, Terry Mulder, today (Tuesday 17 May) announced the Regional Rail Link Authority will realign tracks between Sunshine and Tottenham stations in order to make way for new tracks to be constructed as part of the project.

The work will mostly take place between Sydenham, Albion and Footscray stations in the metropolitan rail network.

However due to the nature of the work:

   V/Line trains travelling between Melbourne, Bendigo and Ballarat will be shut down and replaced with buses for the period Saturday 2 July - Sunday 17 July inclusive.

--> More ...

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Rail closures to hit travel times

Rail closures to hit travel times
Benjamin Preiss
May 17, 2011 - 2:27PM

Commuters from regional Victoria and Melbourne's west face major delays in July due to track works.

The state government has announced the work will be carried out from July 1 to July 18 as part of the Regional Rail Link project.

Buses will replace V/Line trains on the Ballarat and Bendigo lines. Buses will also run between the Albion and Footscray railway stations on the Sydenham line.

Express buses will carry commuters from Albion and Sunshine railway stations direct to Flemington Racecourse station.

Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said V/Line trains would have separate tracks from suburban trains for the first time.

"Suburban trains will no longer be stuck behind country trains and vice versa," he said.

"This will also mean that suburban trains on the Werribee, Sydenham and Craigieburn lines will be more reliable."

PTUA regional spokesman Paul Westcott said the closure of a suburban stations for more than two weeks was "completely unprecedented".

He said the shutdown of suburban trains would cause "massive disruptions".

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-closures-to-hit-travel-times-20110517-1eqnn.html#ixzz1MaSAYUdX

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Train pain looms as three lines face 18-day closure

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Passengers crying on stuck V/Line train

[ozbob]

From the Bendigo Advertiser click here!

Bus pain will 'lead to gain'

Bus pain will 'lead to gain'

JAMIE DUNCAN
20 May, 2011 04:00 AM

A FLEET of about 100 buses will ferry Bendigo V/Line passengers to and from Melbourne when rail services shut for two weeks during July for Regional Rail Link works.

The Bendigo and Ballarat rail lines will be closed between July 2 and 17 for essential maintenance on the lines, including preliminary works for the Regional Rail Link.

Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong trains will have a dedicated train line to bypass slower suburban services under the link, cutting travel times.

V/Line spokesman James Kelly said some services to Melbourne could be up to 45 minutes longer at worse, but V/Line was holding dry runs to better gauge the impact.

He said 5500 commuters a day travel to Melbourne on the Bendigo line.

The work will occur during the July school holidays because many commuters take that time off. It will give others a chance to take leave and ensures there are extra buses. Mr Kelly said there would be express, semi-express and stopping-all-stations buses.

"There will be almost exclusively express buses from Bendigo heading to Melbourne, and there will be a similar set-up in the bigger centres along the line like Castlemaine, Kyneton and Gisborne," he said.

Temporary timetables will be available in mid-June.

Premier Ted Baillieu said commuters can expect some inconvenience.

"Now, all of this is painful but it's going to be better in the long term ... but the Regional Rail Link is going to improve the service to Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong."

[somebody]

Isn't the Regional Rail Link making a new line which is LESS direct than the old line?  Why can't they do amplifications on the current corridor?

[ozbob]

--> http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/ballaratservicechanges/948108239/article.aspx

[somebody]

Is that meant as an answer to my question?

This project really looks like a white elephant/retrograde step to me.  Has metro said anything about it?

Why not fully triplicate the section from Newport to the Altona branch and just send more Geelong trains via Werribee?  Neither has more than a 10 minute service, so I don't see the problem.

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Get ready for rail snarl out west

Get ready for rail snarl out west

    Ashley Gardiner
    From: Herald Sun
    June 29, 2011 12:00AM

TRANSPORT chaos looms in Melbourne next week, with road lane closures on top of a railway shutdown that will make the west a mess.

Motorists will be fined $366 if they drive in a special temporary bus lane and their cars will be towed away if they park in it.

The Regional Rail Link Authority has warned of heavy delays along Ballarat Rd, and advised motorists to avoid the area.

The hardline approach will be a double whammy for train users from the west hoping to avoid the rail disruptions by using their cars.

Temporary bus lanes will be set up along a section of Ballarat Rd for special train-replacement services that will ferry 18,000 Metro commuters a day.

Trains will not run between Footscray and Sunshine from Friday night until July 18 due to works on the Regional Rail Link.

Instead, express buses will run from Albion and Sunshine stations to Flemington Racecourse, where special trains will take them into the city.

V/Line services from Bendigo and Ballarat are also being replaced by coaches.

Rail link chief Corey Hannett was forced to defend the authority yesterday amid mounting criticism the public was being kept in the dark about noise levels.

"We have undertaken community consultation," Mr Hannett said on radio station MTR.

The criticism follows the bungled announcement last year of compulsory property acquisitions in Footscray.

The temporary bus lanes are in force from 4am next Monday and will end at 10.30pm on July 15.

Link spokeswoman Ilsa Colson said VicRoads and police were responsible for enforcing the bus lanes.

"Parking in a bus lane is a towable offence," she said.

Under road safety rules, driving in a bus lane attracts a fine of three penalty units, which will be worth $366 from this Friday.

"Traffic signalling will be adjusted to allow for improved traffic flow in the morning and afternoon peak periods," Ms Colson said.

[Stillwater]

Victoria has a Regional Rail Link Authority.  With suggestions for trains to Gatton and Beaudesert, prospects for the Trouts Road Corridor and CAMCOS to the Sunshine Coast, Nambour track duplication, CoastConnect fast trains, also extension of the Gold Coast Line to Coolangatta, would these projects be advanced by having a specialist Regional Rail section established within Translink/QR, with a strong cross-departmental link to land use planning agencies?  A stand-alone 'QR Regional' section could plan and provide a 'helicopter view' perspective of rail transport needs and planning, linked to the expansion of SEQ.

It would be interesting to see whether either of the two main political parties would consider such a unit as part of their election manifestos.

A bit of forward thinking along these lines from the LNP especially would be helpful instead of the day-to-day, live for the moment media stunt exercises that pervades its thinking at the moment.  The LNP needs to stop being an Opposition and start showing the electorate intelligent signs that it is an alternative government.

[SurfRail]

The governance and procurement on our major projects actually isn't that bad.  The Gold Coast Rapid Transit team is already made up of GCCC, TMR and TTA staff, and the Cross River Rail team has something similar.  The SEQIPRail program has been well-regarded by industry and planning types.

The problem is that projects get scaled back by government or not allocated enough resources to do properly (eg only 3 tracks to Darra, missing crossovers between Salisbury and Kuraby etc).  Remember that if the government had its way, the Beerburrum duplication would not have even been realigned for the most part - it was Trackstar that worked out how to do it straighter and cheaper.  And of course, the second track still ends at Beerburrum in spite of the Department's own advice!

[somebody]

it was Trackstar that worked out how to do it straighter and cheaper. 

Is that right?  I had previously given that as a positive to the QLD, but 3 cheers for Trackstar then.

[colinw]

I'm not sure that was correct, as the corridor was identified and resumed long before Trackstar was involved.

What you CAN thank Trackstar for 'though is retaining the original track north of Caboolture for a distance to make a 3rd line as a long crossing loop / freight refuge.  Trackstar worked out it was cheaper to leave the old line in place and build two new tracks, so we end up with additional capacity to hold freights just out of Caboolture off the main line.

And that's what peeves me.  Caboolture to Beerburrum was a brilliant project, well executed.  If we'd darn well kept going we would have a Gold Coast standard line to Landsborough at least, and should have one to Nambour.  It is beyond ludicrous that it was stopped at Beerburrum, at least in part due to a Government hissy fit about losing the local electorate.

The sheer duplicity of the Government's approach to Sunshine Coast rail & infrastructure will ensure that it is a long time before there is another ALP member of parliament up that way.  And they only have themselves to blame for that.

[SurfRail]

I'm not sure that was correct, as the corridor was identified and resumed long before Trackstar was involved.

What you CAN thank Trackstar for 'though is retaining the original track north of Caboolture for a distance to make a 3rd line as a long crossing loop / freight refuge.  Trackstar worked out it was cheaper to leave the old line in place and build to new tracks, so we end up with additional capacity to hold freights just out of Caboolture off the main line.

Thanks Colin, that is what I was actually thinking of - same principle though. 

We do know how to do things in this State, but we also know how to frustrate our own intentions.

[O_128]

I still dont get why caboolture trains cant be extended to Beerburrum then?, Just because they have always terminated at caboolture doesnt mean they always have to.

[somebody]

I still dont get why caboolture trains cant be extended to Beerburrum then?, Just because they have always terminated at caboolture doesnt mean they always have to.

They probably can.  But what is the reason to do so?  Elimbah and Beerburrum have tiny patronage.

[O_128]

I still dont get why caboolture trains cant be extended to Beerburrum then?, Just because they have always terminated at caboolture doesnt mean they always have to.

They probably can.  But what is the reason to do so?  Elimbah and Beerburrum have tiny patronage.

Could that be because there is next to no service 

[somebody]

I still dont get why caboolture trains cant be extended to Beerburrum then?, Just because they have always terminated at caboolture doesnt mean they always have to.

They probably can.  But what is the reason to do so?  Elimbah and Beerburrum have tiny patronage.

Could that be because there is next to no service 

Only partly.  You need to reach Landsborough to get any real patronage.  That is also where most of the bus services go.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Commuters face snarls as $5.3bn rail project digs in

Commuters face snarls as $5.3bn rail project digs in
Clay Lucas
July 4, 2011

MOTORISTS and rail commuters coming in through Melbourne's west should expect delays over the next two weeks as the first major works on the $5.3 billion Regional Rail Link project begin.

Crucial environmental approvals are still missing from the rail project, which began in earnest on Saturday.

The project is a new set of railway tracks through Melbourne's west which will separate Metro trains from V/Line services.

The Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo rail lines have been closed until July 18 for the project and so other track work can be done.

This weekend, work began on moving the existing railway tracks between Sunshine and Tottenham stations, to make room for the new country line tracks.

Each weekday over the next two weeks, an average of 6000 V/Line passengers and 18,000 Metro commuters will be affected by the shutdown. Those using replacement buses being provided will have their trip into the city extended by between 30 and 45 minutes each way.

The chief executive of the government's Regional Rail Link Authority, Corey Hannett, said the project would improve Melbourne's rail system dramatically. ''By separating the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo trains from the Metro trains ... by building dedicated tracks [we will have] more trains more reliably in the future,'' he said.

But Mr Hannett could not say how many extra trains per hour were expected to use this extra set of train tracks. Nor could he say how many more times the Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo lines would be closed over the next five years, with the project due for completion in 2016.

The Baillieu government authorised the rail shutdown instead of opting for the more usual practice of forcing contractors to work at night and on weekends. The government expects roads in the west - especially Ballarat Road - to experience heavy delays.

The works are being done during the school holiday period, when road and railway usage drops.

The government has also acquired 63 properties, mostly in Footscray, that will be knocked down or partially demolished from next month.

This is despite Planning Minister Matthew Guy not yet having signed off on a report detailing the environmental impact on residents living along the rail line.

There is mounting concern these residents are being kept in the dark about potential noise levels and diesel pollution from the expanded rail corridor, which is likely to have more than 53 trains an hour running on it. Neither Mr Guy or Mr Hannett would say if a report into the new rail line's impact would ever be made public.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/commuters-face-snarls-as-53bn-rail-project-digs-in-20110703-1gxcb.html#ixzz1R3uWAUdw

[ozbob]

From the Herald Sun click here!

Closure of Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo rail lines hits commuters

Closure of Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo rail lines hits commuters

    Ashley Gardiner
    From: Herald Sun
    July 04, 2011 12:00AM

UPDATE 12.10pm: COMMUTERS were hit with lengthy trips to work, but Metro has claimed the first morning of the Sydenham line shutdown to be a success.

Thousands of commuters travelled by bus from Albion and Sunshine stations to Flemington Racecourse this morning due to the two week closure.

Buses also ran from Sunshine to Footscray, picking up passengers from the stations in between.

Ballarat Rd ran smoothly in the section between Anderson Rd and Ashley St where bus lanes are in force.

But lengthy delays occurred from Ashley St to Farnsworth Ave, with city-bound traffic in gridlock.

The bus ride from Albion to Flemington Racecourse took about 30 minutes.

Time was also lost waiting for buses at Albion, or waiting for the train departure at Flemington.

Metro communications manager Geraldine Mitchell said 130 staff assisted passengers with the disruption.

"We're pleased with the smooth start we've seen so far today with no reported incidents," Ms Mitchell said.

"We've undertaken extensive modelling based on passenger counts and travel times to determine the number of buses required during the Sydenham line closure.

"This includes buses to cover the stopping all stations and express routes as well as an emergency fleet in case of breakdowns."

The plans would be constantly reviewed during the two week closure to make improvements.

Trains on the Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo lines will be disrupted until July 18, because of work on the Regional Rail Link.

Metro organised 230 buses to ferry 18,000 commuters a day to Flemington Racecourse and Footscray stations.

About 8000 Ballarat and Bendigo V/Line commuters were forced to take replacement coaches.

RRL authority chief executive Corey Hannett said the existing two tracks between Sunshine and Tottenham stations will be moved to make way for two more, providing the capacity to run extra services along the Craigieburn, Sydenham and Werribee lines.

It will also lead to better V/Line services on the Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong lines, he said.

Mr Hannett said rail operators would take advantage of the shutdown - which had been planned for the school holidays to minimise disruption - to do other maintenance.

The line closed on Friday night, and replacement buses operated over the weekend.

Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the need for a complete shutdown had not been explained.

"The western suburbs are sick and tired of being treated like second-rate citizens," she said.

"Thousands of residents in the west are going to suffer greatly as a result of their trains being shut down."

The RRL, which also includes a new line from Werribee to Deer Park, should be complete in 2014.

[ozbob]

From the Melbourne Age click here!

Rail staff threaten Labor MP handing out leaflets

Rail staff threaten Labor MP handing out leaflets
Clay Lucas Transport Reporter
July 7, 2011

METRO Trains staff threatened to report a Labor MP to police unless she stopped handing out leaflets criticising the Baillieu government's two-week shutdown of the Sydenham line.

Natalie Hutchins, the member for Keilor, yesterday went to Albion station in Sunshine to distribute a petition.

It condemned the government's decision to close the line for two weeks for works on the Regional Rail Link project. This work could have been done at night and on weekends, it said.

Ms Hutchins said that, after she had handed out leaflets, an ''aggressive'' Metro staff member instructed her to leave.

Under the 2005 Transport Conduct Regulations, distributing any leaflet on a suburban railway station without Metro's permission is banned.

Those doing so face a $584.10 fine.

However, Ms Hutchins was on the street next to the station.

''I told them to leave me alone, because we were not on station property,'' she said.

But Metro staff assured her the rail operator had leased the area as part of the two-week shutdown.

Ms Hutchins said a Metro staff member then used a microphone, which was being used for crowd control, to instruct passengers not to take her leaflets.

Metro spokeswoman Geraldine Mitchell said no announcement was made not to take brochures.

Ms Mitchell also said Ms Hutchins had refused to leave the area despite being warned several times she was breaching regulations.

She was finally warned that police would be called, Ms Mitchell said, and she ''eventually left of her own accord''.

Labor's public transport spokeswoman, Fiona Richardson, said a ''worrying new culture'' was developing in Victoria.

But Transport Minister Terry Mulder said Ms Richardson ''needs to get a history lesson from her fellow stunt-pulling cronies. The laws to stop people thrusting political flyers at commuters on stations are dated 2005, when Labor was in government.''

Last week, Labor accused Liberal MP Michael Gidley of confronting staff handing out flyers outside Parliament station. Mr Gidley said he did not raise his voice or act inappropriately.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/rail-staff-threaten-labor-mp-handing-out-leaflets-20110706-1h2uj.html

[O_128]

^^
Typical labor, lets do it at night and it will take 6 months and blow out the costs. No pain No gain. The Corinda Darra works probably could have been done in a month with a full shutdown.

[Otto]

Hi all.. I'm back from Ballarat and experienced the rail shutdown firsthand.
First up, I did 5 trips by rail between Ballarat and Southern Cross. Saw the new alignments being constructed and readied for the new tracks. Quite a lot of work and a big project indeed.
Full timetables for the bus replacement services were easily available at stations and easy to understand.
I traveled on the buses completing 6 trips, the first being on the first weekday of the rail closure. Was impressed with the way this situation was handled at Ballarat.. Bus bays were clearly marked showing the destinations of each bus. Was very busy but organised at the station.

First weekday at Southern Cross for the return trip was very interesting. Would describe it as organised kaos !! Very crowded with many coaches vying for a space to collect passengers. Ground staff not really able to say with confidence as to which bus bay to wait at for each service. Just to complicate things further, one coach broke down on the only access into Southern Cross thus creating further disruptions during the afternoon peak with only 1 lane to handle arriving and departing coaches. Buses for the Ballarat line were departing bays 66 to 70.. There were direct express services to each of the stations on the Ballarat line and others going to multiple stations along the line.

My following 2 visits to Southern Cross by bus during the week were all smooth sailing. The staff at Southern Cross had learnt from Mondays kaos and had everything down pat for the departing services during the afternoon peak. Signage was sorted and monitors displayed correct information and bus bays.

The buses managed to run as per timetable on time with the trip only being approx 15 to 20 minutes longer than rail..
My only complaint would be that the only driver who thought it necessary to lay down the law to all passengers RE : seatbelts and drinks/food, when departing Southern Cross was also the only driver to flout the law and use a handheld mobile phone to make and receive calls ( 3 times ) whilst traveling at 100 kph. I was on the front seat with full view of driver and speedo..

Total fare from Ballarat for me and 15yo traveling together is $10.80 offpeak and $18.20 peak. Child fare applys till 17th birthday. Child is free with adult on V Line services.

[ozbob]

From the News.com click here!

100 slugged for bus-lane driving

100 slugged for bus-lane driving

   Ashley Gardiner
   From: Herald Sun
   July 11, 2011 12:00AM

ALMOST 100 unwitting motorists have been fined thousands of dollars for driving in temporary bus lanes.

Special lanes are in force along a section of Ballarat Rd to make way for express buses during Regional Rail Link construction work.

The Sydenham line from Footscray to Sunshine has been closed for two weeks while the track is moved.

Replacement buses run from Albion and Sunshine stations along Ballarat Rd to the Flemington Racecourse station.

VicRoads regional director Nial Finegan said there had not been heavy delays.

"Traffic on the bus replacement route is operating well despite the changed conditions and additional buses," Mr Finegan said.

Incident reponse teams are in the area to quickly clear breakdowns or accidents.

VicRoads officers are also patrolling the bus lanes, which run from Anderson Rd to Ashley St.

Last week, 85 motorists were issued with tickets for driving in the bus lane, which attracts a $122 fine.

Another eight were fined $73 for stopping in the lane.

Work on this phase of the RRL project should be finished this week so trains can resume next Monday.

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/slugged-for-bus-lane-driving/story-fn7x8me2-1226091880561

[somebody]

Unwitting?  Yeah, right.

[ozbob]

From The Courier click here!

V/Line trains return to Ballarat line

V/Line trains return to Ballarat line
TOM MCILROY
15 Jul, 2011 11:59 PM

TRAINS will return to the Ballarat line on Monday, after two weeks of bus replacement services allowed the work on Regional Rail Link project to begin.

V/Line thanked passengers on the Ballarat line, who faced longer travel times and service disruptions as more than 1300 trains were replaced with 8186 special bus services.

V/Line estimated the number of people travelling during the two-week period had fallen by as much as 36 per cent.

This change represented 4000 less people across the Ballarat and Bendigo lines when compared to the same time last year.

Regular Ballarat-Melbourne commuter Michelle Hodge said yesterday the bus services had run smoothly.

"Of course it was frustrating and slower but it wasn't as bad as a lot of people expected.

"I know a lot of people who stayed in Melbourne or took holidays but I had to continue going to work most days," she said.

V/Line chief executive officer Rob Barnett said passenger feedback was generally positive as commuters understood the short-term pain would allow for longer term benefits.

"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."

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Terry Mulder said the government was happy with how the work was handled.

"Lessons can be learned from every major shutdown that does occur, however, V/Line are very experienced in handling closures of this size, particularly when the Ballarat line was closed for four months in 2004 when major upgrade works took place," the spokesperson said.

The state government is planning for future shut downs of the Ballarat line, but could not confirm when they would take place.

V/Line and Mr Mulder both confirmed there were no plans for a shutdown in the September school holiday period, due to major events such as the AFL finals series and the Royal Melbourne Show.

[ozbob]

From the Bendigo Advertiser click here!

Bendigo trains to return to the track

Bendigo trains to return to the track
16 Jul, 2011 04:00 AM
TRAINS will return to the Bendigo line on Monday after a two-week closure.

During the closure, 1364 trains were replaced with 8186 special bus services.

V/Line chief executive Rob Barnett said passenger feedback was generally positive about the rail replacement buses as most people understood 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 people, across the Ballarat and Bendigo lines when compared to the same time last year.

Mr Barnett said some people had made significant changes to their travel over the past two weeks, such as catching buses earlier in the mornings, taking annual leave, working from home, or using other means to travel.

"We're really grateful for the dedication our customers have shown," he said.

The closure was for the beginning of major construction of the Regional Rail Link project.

There are no works planned for the September school-holiday period.

[ozbob]

Media release

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/1463-preparatory-works-for-regional-rail-link-complete.html

Preparatory works for Regional Rail Link complete

Sunday, 17 July 2011
From the Minister for Public Transport

Preparatory work for the Regional Rail Link project will be completed on schedule, with train services on the Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo lines set to return to normal tomorrow.

Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder today thanked commuters for their patience during the two-week temporary closure, which also enabled Metro Trains, V/Line and the Sunbury Electrification Project to carry out important construction and maintenance work.

"Closing the lines for two weeks has enabled work to be completed that would otherwise have had to happen over numerous weekend or overnight occupations," Mr Mulder said.

"The replacement bus services have operated very smoothly, however we recognise that these works have caused significant disruptions and we are grateful to commuters and the community for their patience as we work to improve Victoria's public transport system."

"I would also like to thank the hundreds of customer service staff from Metro and V/Line who worked tirelessly throughout the two-week closure to keep their customers informed about the disruption and assist commuters along their journey."

Almost 800 metres of track between Tottenham and Sunshine stations has now been realigned to make way for new Regional Rail Link tracks to be laid when main works on the project begin next year.

Mr Mulder said the Regional Rail Link Authority had worked closely with Metro Trains, V/Line and the Sunbury Electrification Project to minimise the disruption for passengers while undertaking as much work as possible.

"Metro Trains has used the two-week shutdown to carry out essential maintenance works such as sleeper renewal, track maintenance and works to overhead wiring, platforms and bridges, with more than 100 separate pieces of work taking place on the Sydenham line alone," he said.

Work carried out by V/Line on the Ballarat and Bendigo lines has included track resurfacing, drainage upgrades and the removal of mudholes which had appeared because of heavy rain.

Mr Mulder said speed restrictions that had been introduced for safety reasons would be lifted in the next few weeks and V/Line passengers should notice a slightly faster travel time and a more reliable service.

The temporary closure has also enabled the Sunbury Electrification project to make substantial progress on improvements to Diggers Rest and Sunbury stations, including re- levelling and asphalting of the station platforms to improve safety and installation of steel frames for new platform shelters.

Significant stabling track work was completed at Sunbury which will allow more trains to start their journey there and Mr Mulder said the installation of a new turnout at Watergardens, in addition to extensive signalling and rail crossing works, would provide greater flexibility for train movements and faster turnaround for V/Line services once commissioned.

Regional Rail Link is a major new rail line running from west of Werribee to Deer Park and along the existing rail corridor through suburbs including Sunshine and Footscray to Southern Cross Station.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the Regional Rail Link project would provide critically needed capacity for extra trains on the Werribee, Sunbury and Craigieburn lines.

"It will also give V/Line's country trains their own tracks between Sunshine and Southern Cross station, improving reliability and capacity on the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo lines," he said.

The project is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments.

Facts and figures

    1364 V/Line trains were replaced by 8186 special bus services
    The Rotary Club of Flemington served about 350kg of sausages at the free breakfast hosted each day by Metro Trains at Flemington Racecourse
    More than 10,000 flyers explaining the bus replacement services were handed out at coffee mornings at stations on the Sydenham line, with more than 3300 free cups of coffee served
    Information was provided in nine languages • Metro Trains replaced more than 17,500 timber sleepers with concrete sleepers between Sunshine and Watergardens
    About 2,600 sleepers were laid for the Regional Rail Link works at Tottenham, 6000 lineal metres of soil nails were drilled and more than 100 different machines were used on the site
    At Sunbury, 500 new concrete sleepers were laid, 1500 tonnes of new ballast material was installed and 200 tonnes of asphalt was used for platform surfacing.
    8km of overhead wire was tensioned on the Sydenham-Sunbury corridor