Pakenham on track for more train pain

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By Mitchell Clarke

Commuters on the Pakenham train line should allow up to an hour extra travel time during a construction blitz where buses will replace trains on the Pakenham line.

The construction works on the Metro Tunnel project mean buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Caulfield stations from 6-14 July.

The timing of the project coincides with school holidays to try and minimise headaches for travellers.

A Government spokesperson told the Gazette that the Metro Tunnel project will have positive impacts on south-east commuters once complete.

“During the upcoming winter construction blitz, we are getting on with the job of building the Metro Tunnel, upgrading signalling for the introduction of new bigger, better trains, removing level crossings, and upgrading regional rail lines,” the spokesperson said.

“We thank passengers for their patience while we get this work done that will transform Melbourne’s rail network for the future and provide more trains, more often.”

The Metro Tunnel project is set to be complete in 2025.

Passengers on the Pakenham and Cranbourne lines can expect to cut their journey times to key destinations like Parkville and Domain by up to 50 minutes every day.

The project, along with other network improvements will create room for 121,000 passengers on the two lines every week during peak periods.

The Cranbourne and Frankston lines will also be affected by the winter construction works next month and Traralgon and Bairnsdale services will be replaced by coaches for the entire journey during the works.