WENDOUREE-bound commuters have endured a nightmare trip home from Melbourne, taking almost four hours to finally reach their destination on Monday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Signal faults between Bacchus Marsh and Gordon are understood to have caused the chaos which saw the 5.50pm service finally arrive at Wendouree at 9.40pm, The service was scheduled to arrive at 7.08pm.
Commuter Kathryn Rowan said the dramas began just before Ballan.
“We’d slowed right down and stopped as we were approaching Ballan and told we were waiting for a train to pass, which is a pretty standard thing on the Ballarat line,” Ms Rowan said.
“Once the train passed we were then told that there was a signal fault and we’d be waiting a bit longer.
“When we finally got moving we were 50-55 minutes behind schedule when we reached Ballan.
“A bit further along the track we stop again and are told we’re waiting for another train. A bit later we’re told we’re waiting for some people to finish working on a signal problem and then they tell us that the train will terminate at Ballarat, so Wendouree passengers will need to catch the train right behind us.”
The train eventually pulled in to Ballarat at 8.45pm, but the drama wasn’t quite over.
“We are told that we need to move to the other platform to get to Wendouree on the Ararat train that is right behind us,” she said.
“Then 25 minutes later the train finally arrived and there was about 50 of us shivering away in the four degree weather.
“We board but the train goes nowhere. We’re told we’re waiting for a signal and we sit there for 20 minutes. It took us 55 minutes just to get from Ballarat station to Wendouree.”
Ms Rowan said she was fortunate that her phone coverage remained strong and she was able to let people know what was happening.
“I’m lucky I don’t have any kids or anyone relying on me. I overheard someone on the train saying they feel for all the parents who couldn’t get home to their kids.”
Garima Pasoria, who is four months pregnant, said her husband had to wait for more than an hour at Ballarat Station.
“They kept telling us it would be a few minutes, so we had no idea how long it would be,” Ms Pasoria said.
“I work in Melbourne and I had to get home for appointments. But unfortunately this is not the first time something like this has happened.”
Other commuters The Courier has spoken with said it was not uncommon for there to be some signal faults on the line, usually around Rockbank.
V/Line has been contacted for comment.
Do you want to have your say before the state election? Here is your chance.
