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V/Line industrial action Friday 8 March
08 Mar 2024
Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members employed by V/Line will take protected industrial action in the form of a work stoppage from 3am to 4pm on Friday 8 March 2024.
No V/Line trains will run during the stoppage. Significant delays are expected for the entire day.
Metro trains, trams and buses will run as normal. Roads are expected to be very busy.
V/Line trains will progressively return from 5pm but delays and cancellations will continue across the evening.
We encourage passengers to avoid travel or consider other transport where possible.
Schools will be notified directly with information about service changes and travel advice for students.
Additional services for special events are scheduled to run as planned but passengers are encouraged to check the V/Line or PTV websites before travelling.
Passengers who need to travel should expect significant delays and plan their day accordingly.
Freight trains will continue to operate during the planned industrial action so always obey warning signs at level crossings.
Temporary timetables
Download the Geelong Line temporary timetable (PDF) 163 KB
Download the Warrnambool Line temporary timetable (PDF) 50 KB
Download the Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill lines temporary timetable (PDF) 91 KB
Download the Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines temporary timetable (PDF) 71 KB
Download the Seymour and Shepparton lines temporary timetable (PDF) 75 KB
Download the Albury Line temporary timetable (PDF) 52 KB
Download the Gippsland Line temporary timetable (PDF) 69 KB
Essential travel from first service to 6pm
An extremely limited coach replacement service will run for essential journeys from first service to 6pm.
Coaches will not stop at any Metropolitan stations.
Delays of up to 2 hours or more are expected before 6pm.
Geelong and Warrnambool lines
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Southern Cross, Geelong and Warrnambool. Coaches will not stop at Footscray and Sunshine.
Wyndham Vale Station
A limited number of buses will run between Wyndham Vale and Werribee to connect passengers with Metro services on the Werribee Line.
Tarneit Station
A limited number of buses will run between Tarneit and Laverton to connect passengers with Metro services on the Werribee Line.
Ballarat and Ararat lines
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Southern Cross, Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough. Coaches will not stop at Footscray and Sunshine.
Bendigo Line
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill and Watergardens Station on the Sunbury Line. Passengers will need to transfer to or from a Metro Trains service to continue their journey to and from Southern Cross. Coaches will not stop at Sunbury Station.
Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Traralgon, Bairnsdale and Pakenham. Passengers will need to transfer to or from a Metro Trains service to complete their journey to and from Southern Cross.
From first to last service
Seymour and Shepparton lines
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Southern Cross, Seymour and Shepparton. Coaches will not stop at Craigieburn, Broadmeadows, Essendon and North Melbourne.
Echuca and Swan Hill lines
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill and Watergardens Station on the Sunbury Line. Passengers will need to transfer to or from a Metro Trains service to continue their journey to and from Southern Cross. Coaches will not stop at Sunbury Station.
Maryborough Line
An extremely limited number of coaches will run between Southern Cross, Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough. Coaches will not stop at Footscray and Sunshine.
For essential travel, please check for updates on the PTV or V/Line websites, mobile app and social media before you travel. You can also use Journey planner to search for possible alternative travel options.
First trains to run from approximately 5pm
The first trains are scheduled to return on each line at the following times. Services on the Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Echuca and Maryborough lines will continue to run as coaches for the entire day.
Please check before you travel as ongoing service changes are expected.
Geelong and Warrnambool lines
- 5.24pm South Geelong to Southern Cross
- 5.33pm Waurn Ponds to Southern Cross
- 5.06pm Southern Cross to Warrnambool
- 5.12pm Southern Cross to South Geelong
- 5.29pm Southern Cross to Waurn Ponds
Ballarat and Ararat lines
- 5.17pm Ararat to Southern Cross
- 5.26pm Wendouree to Southern Cross
- 5.01pm Southern Cross to Melton
- 5.18pm Southern Cross to Wendouree
- 6.16pm Southern Cross to Ararat
Bendigo Line
- 5.29pm Bendigo to Southern Cross
- 6.50pm Epsom to Southern Cross
- 5.26pm Southern Cross to Epsom
Traralgon and Bairnsdale lines
- 5.20pm Traralgon to Southern Cross
- 6.06pm Bairnsdale to Southern Cross
- 5.38pm Southern Cross to Traralgon
- 6.33pm Southern Cross to Bairnsdale
Albury Line
- 5.27pm Albury to Southern Cross
- 6.02pm Southern Cross to Albury
For essential travel, please check for updates on the PTV or V/Line websites, mobile app and social media before you travel. You can also use Journey planner to search for possible alternative travel options.
Other important information
Passengers with accessibility needs are encouraged to call 1800 800 007 before you travel so we can provide the best possible service for your journey.
Metropolitan, freight and the Sydney-Melbourne XPT train services will still operate during planned industrial action. Following the action, there will be V/Line train movements from 5pm, so please always obey warning signs at level crossings.
Roads are expected to be very busy. Check VicTraffic for real-time traffic conditions.
Thank you for your patience during this time.