Commuters seeing red

But buses will get more green lights

REPLACEMENT buses carrying Geelong line passengers to and from Melbourne will be given a better run due to changes in traffic light sequences, V/Line says.

The move comes after commuters reported long delays yesterday, some stretching more than 90 minutes, as buses replaced trains on the Geelong line between Sunshine and Melbourne due to work on the Metro Tunnel.

A V/Line spokesman said CBD intersections would be the target for improvements.

“The Department of Transport will be making minor adjustments to traffic flows around the CBD from tomorrow to reduce congestion and improve access for coaches,” the spokesman said yesterday.

“We understand the longer journey times on train replacement coaches are frustrating, but these works are necessary to provide long-term benefits traffic flow for commuters in the Geelong region.”

V/Line has told the Addy works on the Metro Tunnel near Kensington are taking place within metres of the tracks used by Geelong-line trains.

The number of people V/ Line is required to move today could rise with the return of some industrial workers following a rostered day off yesterday.

A rail user on a replacement bus between Tarneit to Southern Cross yesterday said the journey lasted more than 90 minutes.

“1hr 40min from Tarneit to Southern Cross “express” this morning. Didn’t get over 20km/h between (Western) Ring Rd and the (Westgate) bridge. Waited another 10 mins (because of) signalling coming off the Bolte onto Footscray Rd,” the bus user posted to social media.

Another Geelong commuter posted he was riding his bike between Sunshine and the CBD to avoid the chaos.

Travel times on Monday morning between Sunshine and the CBD ranged between 30 and 70 minutes.

Traffic in the Tarneit area was brought to a standstill due to a car accident on Leakes Rd.

The Geelong Advertiser understands commuters will not be in line for free travel due to the delays this week because they are part of a planned disruption.

Replacement buses on the Geelong line are operating between Sunshine and Flagstaff until Friday.

Customers will have to travel by train to Sunshine then get on express buses from Sunshine to Flagstaff Station or stopping all stations buses from Sunshine to North Melbourne.

V/Line passengers travelling to Southern Cross can catch a train from Flagstaff or North Melbourne stations.

V/Line has advised passengers allow up to an extra 60 minutes for their journey.