Work to commission a new signalling system between Drouin and Traralgon and complete the Gippsland Line Upgrade is now underway.
Coaches will replace trains for all or part of the journey between Southern Cross, Traralgon and Bairnsdale until Wednesday 13 August.
At times, Traralgon Line passengers will use a Metro Trains service for connection to the Melbourne CBD and suburban stations along the Pakenham Line.
Bairnsdale Line passengers will travel on coaches between Bairnsdale and Southern Cross.
Replacement coaches will not stop at Flinders Street, Richmond, Clayton and Berwick. Passengers wishing to use these stations should switch to a metropolitan service on the Pakenham Line.
During this time, crews will complete and commission the line’s new signalling system and complete the Gippsland Line Upgrade.
Works will include signalling construction along the line, including cabling and installing trackside signalling equipment between Drouin and Traralgon.
Safety testing of new infrastructure along the 70km stretch of rail line will also take place, along with driver training, and the complex commissioning work needed to bring the new system into operation.
This work will enable more frequent services between Melbourne and Traralgon, with further information on timing for the new services to come.
Passengers are asked to allow extra time, and to plan their journey using the temporary coach timetables available on the PTV website.