Trains return for grand final eve

By Luke Voogt

Full services resumed on the Geelong line today with trains operating to a Saturday timetable for the AFL grand final eve public holiday.

The resumption comes after eight COVID-19 cases among staff and drivers forced about 300 V/Line employees into isolation over the past fortnight causing major disruptions.

Trains on the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Gippsland and Seymour lines operated from the first service this morning.

For the remainder of the weekend, trains on these lines will run to normal Saturday and Sunday timetables.

For the Geelong line, all trains will run between Southern Cross and Waurn Pond stations.

V/Line advised coaches would continue to replace services beyond on Waurn Ponds on the Warnambool-Geelong line.

“We are exercising an abundance of caution in the interest of our crews and passengers,” a V/Line spokesperson said.

“V/Line is doing everything it can to return all trains to service as quickly and safely as possible.

“We apologise to passengers making permitted journeys for the disruption to their journey and thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding during this challenging time.”