Melbourne to Traralgon Evening Trains Replaced by Coaches Until October 14 2026

[Melbourne, October 12, 2026] — Evening travelers between Melbourne and Traralgon are facing significant delays as replacement coaches substitute all train services departing from 20:00 until the end of the day through Wednesday, October 14.

The disruption, managed by V/Line, is the result of scheduled infrastructure maintenance. The transition to road transport affects both directions of travel, starting from Sunday, October 11, and continuing until the final service on October 14. Passengers are warned that these coach journeys will take approximately 60 minutes longer than the standard rail timetable.

Maintenance-Driven Service Shifts

The current disruptions are part of a planned maintenance window first announced on September 25. While these works are routine, they create a critical bottleneck for evening commuters and regional tourists. It is important to note that these maintenance-related replacements are separate from other current network issues, such as the vandalism-related coach replacements operating between East Pakenham and Southern Cross.

Passengers are urged to verify their specific service via the Transport Victoria journey planner, as different alerts may apply to different segments of the Gippsland line.

Affected Routes and Station Closures

The shift to coaches does not offer a one-to-one replacement of all rail stops. Four key stations will be completely bypassed by the replacement coaches, requiring passengers to find alternative transit methods.

Gippsland Line Service Impact Table: Oct 11–14, 2026

Detail	Official Arrangement
Affected Time Window	20:00 until the final service of the day
Route Impact	Full Melbourne $\leftrightarrow$ Traralgon journey
Estimated Delay	+60 minutes per trip
Bypassed Stations	Flinders Street, Richmond, Clayton, Berwick
Melbourne Boarding Point	Southern Cross Coach Terminal (Spencer St)
Accessibility Support	Call 1800 800 007 prior to travel

What This Means for Travelers

For those booking hotels or arranging airport transfers, the additional hour of travel time is not a guarantee but a planning baseline. A late-night arrival in Traralgon may necessitate updating check-in times with accommodation providers.

Boarding Logistics: Passengers departing from Melbourne must avoid the train platforms and head directly to the Southern Cross coach terminal on Spencer Street, located opposite Little Bourke Street. Those who mistakenly wait on the platforms risk missing their coach departure.

Alternative Connections:

• Clayton Passengers: Use Metro rail services to connect via Dandenong.
• Richmond Passengers: Use Metro connections through either Caulfield or Southern Cross.

On-Board Restrictions: Unlike standard rail carriages, replacement coaches have strict limitations. Bicycles have limited capacity, and there are prohibitions against carrying hot food or certain pets. Travelers with these items must confirm availability with V/Line before departing.

Regional Infrastructure Context

These temporary disruptions follow the completion of the Gippsland Line Upgrade in August 2025, a project under the Victoria Big Build initiative. That program delivered four modernized stations at Bunyip, Longwarry, Morwell, and Traralgon, along with a new bridge over the Avon River at Stratford.

While the upgrade created over 500 jobs and increased daily service frequency, the current maintenance window highlights the ongoing need for upkeep to sustain those gains. The regional economy remains dependent on these links; according to Destination Gippsland's 2024-25 report, international overnight visitors to the region grew by 29.8% in the year ending December 2024, reaching 58,000 visitors.

FAQ: Gippsland Line Disruptions 2026

When exactly do the replacement coaches start operating? The coaches replace all train services departing at or after 20:00 from both Southern Cross and Traralgon from Sunday, October 11, through Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

How much extra time should I add to my trip? Passengers should allow at least 60 additional minutes for their journey. It is recommended to build extra buffer time into connections for hotels or further transport.

Which stations are not being served by the coaches? Replacement coaches will not stop at Berwick, Clayton, Richmond, or Flinders Street. Passengers for these locations must use Metro rail alternatives.

Do I need a different ticket for the coach? No. A valid myki card or paper ticket is required. myki users must remember to touch on and off as they would on a train.

Plan your arrival carefully to avoid midnight check-in complications.

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