V/Line cancels services across multiple lines due to ‘catastrophic fire danger’

V/Line has cancelled train services due to run through fire districts in regional Victoria today, Friday January 9.  

With temperatures to soar to about 42 degrees Celsius, Catastrophic Fire Danger ratings have been issued for the North Central, Northern Country, South West and Wimmera districts.  

Scheduled V/Line trains and replacement coaches will not operate in these danger zones. 

This includes trains on the Bendigo Line, Echuca Line, Swan Hill Line, Seymour Line, Shepparton Line and Albury Line.  

V/Line has released further information below.  

Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough

Ballarat Line: Train services will continue to operate between Southern Cross and Wendouree in accordance with the Extreme Heat timetable.

Maryborough Line: Train services are suspended between Maryborough and Ballarat.

Ararat Line: Train services are suspended between Ararat and Wendouree. 

Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill

Bendigo Line: Train services are suspended.

A limited number of replacement coaches will run between Southern Cross and Kyneton (not stopping at Footscray and Watergardens).

To city – coaches will depart Kyneton at 5am and then run every 30 minutes from 6am to 9am. Services will then run every hour from 9.06am to 11.06pm with the last service departing at 11.40pm.

From city – coaches will depart Southern Cross at 6.25am and run every hour until 3pm. From 3pm to 6.25pm, coaches will run every 30 minutes, then every hour from 6.25pm until midnight. 

Echuca Line: Train services are suspended. 

Swan Hill Line: Train services are suspended. 

Geelong and Warrnambool

Geelong Line: Train services will continue to operate between Southern Cross and Waurn Ponds in accordance with the Extreme Heat timetable.

Warrnambool Line: Train services are suspended between Warrnambool and Waurn Ponds. 

Traralgon and Bairnsdale 

Traralgon Line: Train services will continue to operate between East Pakenham and Traralgon in accordance with planned works in the metropolitan area,

Bairnsdale Line: Train services will continue to operate between East Pakenham and Bairnsdale in accordance to the occupation timetable. 

Seymour, Shepparton and Albury

Seymour Line: Train services are suspended.

A limited number of replacement buses will run between Craigieburn and Donnybrook. Services from Donnybrook to Craigieburn will run every hour from 5.45am to 11.45pm. Services from Craigieburn to Donnybrook will run every hour from 6.40am to 11.40pm.  

Passengers can travel on a Metro train between Craigieburn and Southern Cross. 

Shepparton Line: Train services are suspended.

Albury Line: Train services are suspended. 

V/Line has advised passengers to check its website for the latest travel updates.