Melbourne commuters will expect to see delays in Melbourne from Monday this week as buses replace trains on additional metro and regional lines.
Public Transport Victoria (PTV) announced that nine out of the 16 metro train lines would experience disruptions starting this weekend, affecting regional commuters as well.
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The interruptions are a result of Premier Daniel Andrews’s Big Build project, which aims to utilise the school holiday period to progress Metro Tunnel works and Level Crossing removals.
The Level Crossing project has become the largest project of its kind in Victoria’s history, aiming to remove 110 dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne by 2030.
While the Metro Tunnel aims to bring more trains and reduce travel times by redirecting the heavily trafficked Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury lines through a newly built tunnel.
Melbourne residents who live in the city are urged to work from home today and avoid commuting to the city for the next two weeks.
Transport Workers’ Union Victoria branch assistant secretary Mem Suleyman urged people to have more empathy for bus drivers.
“Our members are experienced with carrying out this type of work; we have supported the public through major events and replacement work in the past,” Suleyamn said.
“I urge the public to be patient and treat our local bus drivers with respect and empathy.”
One Victorian commuter expressed his frustration online, accusing a lack of signage and no notification.
“Why was this only published at 4am, when the original bus replacement was still the last service Sunday night. Talk about poor communication.”
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