A BACCHUS Marsh commuter says she’ll be forced to give up her inner-city job due to unreliable services on the Ballarat rail line.
“It has certainly pushed me in that direction,” said Emma Brelsford, who works in Queen Street in the CBD.
“I am now seeking employment closer to home as the commute is a big fat pain in the bum. I know my employers get frustrated with my almost daily texts warning them I’ll be late due to train issues.”
Things are set to get even harder for V/Line commuters, with services on the Ballarat line to be shut down for nearly two weeks in January.
Because of Regional Rail Link works, buses will replace trains from 8pm on Friday, December 28, to the last service on Sunday, December 30, and again from 8pm on Friday, January 4, to the last service on Sunday, January 13.
Ms Brelsford said the disruptions would add at least an extra hour to her daily commute. “Whenever they have replaced trains with buses on the weekend it has taken an additional hour, so their advising of 45 minutes extra is rubbish,” she said. “I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll drive or endure the buses. V/Line commuters are constantly faced with delays and cancellations even when they’re not doing ‘important works’.”
Melton Labor MP Don Nardella said while the works were a necessary disruption, V/Line should ensure enough buses for patrons. V/Line did not respond to requests for comment before deadline.
For more details on timetables, visit ptv.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 800 007
