Never ending train chaos

State parliament has been told of chaos for Gippslanders who travelled to Melbourne on public transport for the opening games in the AFL season.

Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath told her Upper House colleagues of what she called “never ending train chaos” on the Gippsland line that caused many people long delays getting home from a night game.

Those travelling through to Traralgon did not get there until 3am the following morning and one family was left languishing at Southern Cross station when not enough buses were provided, she said.

Ms Bath said station staff told inquirers the day before the game that trains would be running but 45 minutes into the trip to Melbourne were informed replacement buses would be used for the return journey.

One passenger that rang PTV was told the decision to schedule replacement buses was only made on the day, she said.

Ms Bath said it has been “eight long years of train disruptions” for Gippsland and the government could not justify such a low level of service.

“Bad commuter experiences continue to be reported to my office from locals fed up with the ineffective bus replacement program.

“It is unfathomable that on days when demand for public transport is the highest the government continues to bungle Gippsland’s train service and relegate locals onto buses,” she said.

Ms Bath said train timetables had on ongoing open clause - “Coaches replace some evening trains on the Gippsland line”.

Our service continually fails to meet performance targets, locals are frustrated by poor planning and communication and are sacrificed for improvements to benefit Melbourne, she stated.