Taylor Swift fans heading to Melbourne ahead of the first of the singer’s string of sold-out Australian shows are being warned of potential delays as rail operators plan to stop work on Friday.
The entire V/Line network will grind to a halt as workers walk off the job for the second time this week as part of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union action.
Conductors, controllers, station staff and customer service employees will all stop work between 3am and 7am on Friday, and again on Monday and February 29.
While the stoppage will only last four hours, people travelling from regional Victoria are being warned knock-on effects will be felt throughout the day.
The union is encouraging Swift fans leaving regional areas early to consider alternate travel arrangements ahead of the show.
V/Line said trains will progressively return from 8am but delays and cancellations will continue throughout the day.
“Services may be busier than usual while we work to recover the timetable,” it said.
Public Transport Victoria encouraged passengers to “delay travel or consider other transport where possible”.
“Passengers who need to travel should expect significant delays and plan their day accordingly,” it said.
Metro trains, trams and buses will continue services as normal, with a warning roads are expected to be busy during the stoppage.
A limited number of coach replacement services will run for essential journeys during the action, with delays of two hours expected.
7NEWS.com.au understands the V/Line will be working quickly to recover the timetable ahead of the surge of passengers planning to travel via public transport to Swift’s show that evening.
There will be additional services and increased capacity on some lines for the concert.
The industrial action is the latest measure by the union as it calls for better pay and job security.
“We continue to negotiate with the union in good faith and have made some progress,” V/Line chief executive officer Matt Carrick said.
“Importantly, we have reached an in-principle agreement with our drivers who will not be taking part in this industrial action.
“Passengers are advised to keep up to date with the latest travel information on the V/Line website and through our social channels.”
Affected train lines include:
- Geelong and Warrnambool line
- Wyndham Vale Station
- Tarneit Station
- Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough lines
- Bendigo and Echuca lines
- Swan Hill line
- Seymour and Shepparton lines
- Albury line
- Traralgon line
- Bairnsdale line
Source: 7 News
