Maintenance on the Ballarat line next week will lead to big delays for commuters, a situation not helped by some services not being added to the temporary timetable.
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The next set of works will mean trains can't run between Melbourne and Melton between Saturday, October 19, to the last train on Thursday, October 24.
Commuters will have to change from a coach to a train at Melton, but any coaches stuck in peak hour traffic that could miss the train may continue on to Ballarat.
V/Line is working with VicRoads to implement traffic management systems to get coaches in and out of Southern Cross Station faster, reducing the chance of delays.
On weekday mornings, to get to Melbourne before 9am, Ballarat commuters will need to take the 6.09am or 6.38am services.
The 7.05am service, which originates in Ararat, will arrive at Southern Cross Station at 9.23am.
Trains will leave Melton for Wendouree at 6.14pm, 6.52pm, and 7.50pm.
Initial timetables did not show a 5.50pm service with a "through connection" to Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Ballarat, and Wendouree, or a 5.59pm service to take passengers to Melton - these will be added to the temporary timetable.
While buses will depart Southern Cross Station about every 10 minutes during peak hour, each is listed as going to different destinations, some of which are stopping at all stations and some express.
Night trains after 8.30pm between Melton and Wendouree on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday will be replaced by coaches for the entire journey.
Special early morning express coach will depart Wendouree at 4.42am, Ballarat at 4.55am and Ballan at 5.28am arriving at Southern Cross Station at 6.30am.
A V/Line spokesperson said in a statement there will be a "range of service options" during the planned works.
"We understand the longer journey times are frustrating for our Ballarat Line passengers and will be working hard to ensure the interchange between coach and train services at Melton goes smoothly for our passengers," they said.
The service disruptions will allow for construction works to take place at Southern Cross Station, as well as continued Ballarat Line Upgrade works, according to the V/Line website.
The line will be closed again in November for three weeks for upgrade commissioning.
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