Commuters on the vital Geelong to Melbourne rail corridor faced a morning of major chaos and frustration after deliberate vandalism forced the complete suspension of all train services.
Criminal Act Halts Critical Transport Link
The widespread disruption began in the early hours of Thursday morning, February 29, 2024. Authorities from V/Line confirmed that significant criminal damage had been inflicted on critical infrastructure along the line. This malicious act necessitated the immediate shutdown of the entire service for safety and repair assessments, throwing the travel plans of thousands into disarray.
V/Line moved swiftly to alert passengers, posting an urgent service update on their website and social media channels. The message was stark: all services on the Geelong Line were suspended until further notice. The operator strongly advised commuters to seek alternative transport methods, warning that replacement coaches were not immediately available and urging people to avoid travelling if possible.
Commuters Left Scrambling for Alternatives
The impact on the morning peak was severe. With no trains running, passengers were left stranded at stations including Geelong, North Geelong, and all stops along the line to Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. The disruption created a domino effect, putting pressure on other transport networks as commuters scrambled for buses, taxis, or rideshares.
The situation was compounded by the lack of a ready-made replacement bus service. This left many with no viable option to complete their journey, leading to significant delays for work, education, and appointments. Social media quickly filled with complaints and expressions of frustration from affected travellers facing an unexpected and stressful start to their day.
Investigation Underway as Services Slowly Resume
V/Line teams worked urgently to assess the damage and begin necessary repairs. The focus was on restoring services as quickly and safely as possible. By mid-morning, there were signs of progress. V/Line announced that trains would begin running again, but with major delays expected to continue throughout the day as the network recovered from the extended shutdown.
Meanwhile, a full investigation into the incident has been launched. The act is being treated as serious criminal vandalism, with authorities seeking information on those responsible for causing widespread public inconvenience and financial cost. The incident highlights the vulnerability of essential public infrastructure to deliberate interference.
Passengers were advised to continue checking the V/Line website and app for the latest real-time updates on service recovery and ongoing delays. The operator also reminded commuters that tickets would be cross-accepted on metropolitan train, tram, and bus services where possible to help ease the burden.
