Rail closures to hit travel times

State Transport Minister Terry Mulder said on Tuesday that workers will start moving part of the existing track between Sunshine and Tottenham, in Melbourne's west, to make way for new country tracks into the city.


The Regional Rail Link aims to improve the times of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo regional trains when they make their way through the city, by creating dedicated tracks for them.


"Suburban trains will no longer be stuck behind country trains and vice versa," Mr Mulder said in a statement.


"This will also mean that suburban trains on the Werribee, Sydenham and Craigieburn lines will be more reliable."


Mr Mulder said there will be a two week closure of the Sydenham, Ballarat and Bendigo lines for construction works between July 1-18.


Express buses will carry commuters from Albion and Sunshine railway stations direct to Flemington Racecourse station.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder said V/Line trains would have separate tracks from suburban trains for the first time.
"Suburban trains will no longer be stuck behind country trains and vice versa, he said.
This will also mean that suburban trains on the Werribee, Sydenham and Craigieburn lines will be more reliable."
PTUA regional spokesman Paul Westcott said the closure of a suburban stations for more than two weeks was "completely unprecedented".
He said the shutdown of suburban trains would cause "massive disruptions.