Commuters are set to face more delays and cancellations with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) confirming two 24-hour stop works in the coming fortnight.
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But at this stage, Ballarat line commuters have been spared any major delays with no action at this stage planned on the Ballarat timetable.
The RTBU confirmed on Tuesday morning that a 24-hour stoppage will be held on the Geelong and Warrnambool lines on January 29, while a 24-hour stoppage is also scheduled for the Bendigo and Swan Hill lines on February 7.
V/Line staff will also put an indefinite ban on working overtime on Monday and Friday's from January 31.
RTBU branch secretary Luba Grigorovitch said negotiations regarding conditions in a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement between the union, V/Line and the state government continued to go around in circles.
"We're not getting anywhere, we need a circuit breaker," said Ms Grigorovitch said. "We're trying to find middle ground but V/Line have demonstrated they are unwilling to compromise.
"We don't take any action lightly and ultimately would prefer it be avoided, but RTBU members are fed up and the public deserves a way forward."
Ms Grigorovitch said In order to minimise impact on commuters the RTBU will be ensuring any trains in service at midnight on January 29 and February 7 February 2020 will continue without disruption until they reach their destination.
Meanwhile, December proved to be a rough month for commuters on the Ballarat line with figures showing just 90.7 per cent of trains ran reliable services, despite an improved 91.8 per cent punctuality.
However, the punctuality figure needs to be taken with a grain of salt, considering the amount of services that were either cancelled or delayed due to hot weather, industrial action or line stoppages due to the completion of track work.
No services ran on the Ballarat line until December 5 due to upgrade works.
"December saw our regional passengers significantly impacted by speed restrictions as a result of the extreme heat and protected industrial action by staff affecting all lines," Department of Transport Head of Transport Services Jeroen Weimar said.
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