As summer heat begins to intensify across East Gippsland, V/Line is urging Bairnsdale line passengers to plan ahead and familiarise themselves with extreme heat timetables to avoid unexpected delays during hot weather.
V/Line chief executive officer Will Tieppo said speed restrictions are introduced on days forecast to reach 36 degrees or above, including along the long regional corridor to and from Bairnsdale, where temperatures can rise quickly during peak summer.
“Safety is our top priority, and on really hot days steel tracks can expand in the heat, which is why trains may run at slower speeds, or be replaced by coaches when necessary,” Mr Tieppo said.
“Passengers can plan their trip with confidence by downloading extreme heat timetables from the V/Line website.”
V/Line monitors weather conditions closely throughout the warmer months and activates extreme heat timetables as required.
On these days, additional crews are on standby to respond quickly to any issues and keep disruptions to a minimum for passengers travelling between Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon and Melbourne.
Services may also be affected by fire danger ratings.
No V/Line train or coach service will operate in a district under a Catastrophic fire danger rating, meaning travellers in East Gippsland may see changes if conditions escalate.
While heat-related restrictions can affect services across the state, the Gippsland corridor – particularly inland sections between Traralgon and Bairnsdale – often experiences high temperatures throughout summer.
Local passengers are encouraged to stay informed during extreme heat by:
– Checking the V/Line website, app, or X (Twitter) feed.
– Downloading the dedicated extreme heat timetable for the Gippsland line.
– Speaking with V/Line staff at Bairnsdale, Sale or on board services for the latest updates.
V/Line maintenance crews have been preparing the network ahead of the hotter months, including track checks and grass slashing along the rail reserve to reduce bushfire risk.
Decisions regarding speed restrictions on the Albury Line are managed separately by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
For more information or to download the extreme heat timetable, visit the V/Line website.
