WESTERN Victorians travelling on public transport may not be aware of the current closure of the Ararat-Wendouree-Melbourne and Maryborough-Melbourne train lines to allow for track works and upgrades until next Thursday, July 14.

Coaches have replaced trains for the entire journeys between Southern Cross and Ballarat, and Ararat and Maryborough, with a mix of express and stopping-all-stations services.

While the track shutdown has been advertised publicly, Western Victoria MP, Bev McArthur, said the system was failing, with the alternate bus replacement also experiencing problems.

“I am receiving angry emails from constituents who just want to get to Melbourne and home again”, she said.

“Not all commuters are tech-savvy and would not be aware that a different timetable is currently running, replacing the trains.

“However, even the buses can’t do their job.

“For example, a crash on the West Gate Bridge even stopped the buses from travelling, causing significant delays.

“What happens for people who are depending on public transport to get them to important medical appointments, jobs, job interviews, funerals, or any kind of meeting?

“They are let down, time and time again.

“People should be able to rely on a service for which huge volumes of tax-payer money is spent.

“However, given the disgraceful state of Victoria’s country roads, one can understand people choosing public transport in preference to damaging their cars and tyres in potholes that are more akin to craters.”

Hamilton V/Line manager at Trotter’s Coaches, Gary Nield, said there were shutdowns happening all the time for various reasons impacting local services and passengers.

Mr Nield said Warrnambool was without a train service for the entire month of June and services had been spasmodic since.

“They are operating when they can – but there are ongoing metro rail works, tunnel works, break downs, all these things are impacting schedules,” he said.

“It does impact local people with people getting home later than they should be.”

Mr Nield said four people were left waiting around 50 minutes at the Hamilton depot on Tuesday due to delayed coaches.

“(But) overall most people are very understanding,” he said.

“I haven’t had a single complaint here in the depot in Hamilton.

“Efficiency is not what it should be - but it’s not the end of the world,”

“I think people understand that things are going to improve, and this is just short-term pain for greater long-term gain.”

Travellers are reminded to check the temporary timetables as some coaches will depart earlier than usual train times and to allow at least an additional 60 minutes for the duration of the journey.