Widespread bus replacements as train blitz starts today

A large number rail commuters will be forced to take replacement buses from today as Melbourne’s biggest ever train network upgrade ramps up for the summer.

The major works will disrupt 10 metropolitan train lines and four regional lines.

There will be replacement buses between the city and Westall on the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines for the next two weeks (bus dates and details here).

Buses will also run between Flinders Street station and Moorabbin, Frankston and Stony Point (bus dates and details here).

Coaches will replace trains on the entire Gippsland line until January 13. Passengers travel free of charge for this period.

Sandringham line passengers will be affected from today until Sunday, with buses between Parliament and Elsternwick stations (bus dates and details here).

Meanwhile, overnight and weekend work will disrupt the Belgrave, Lilydale, Glen Waverley, Alamein, Sunbury, Werribee and Williamstown lines throughout January.

Passengers are being directed to the Public Transport Victoria website to plan their journeys.