Metro has released a timetable of the last train services in and out of the city before industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union takes place at 10am on Friday.

Most lines will experience disruption well before the 10am deadline as trains return to depots and sidings.

The first citybound service to be hit by cancellations (except for Stony Point) will be the Hurstbridge line, which will run its last train to Flinders Street at 8.17am.

The evening peak could also be affected after the strike ends at 2pm.

The last line (aside from Stony Point) to start up from Flinders Street after the industrial action ends will be the Alamein line at 3.32pm.

Expected train cancellations for Thursday

The industrial action may also result in 50 early morning services being cancelled on Thursday morning.

Metro says this is due to a stop work action by the RTBU between 3am and 4am when early morning trains are being prepared for service.

The planned cancellations are subject to change, because Metro Trains and the RTBU are still in tense negotiations over whether the Thursday services.

Limited bus services will replace some train services if the cancellations do take place.

TO THE CITY

Alamein: 5.01am Cancelled

Alamein: 5.38am Cancelled

Belgrave: 4.24am Cancelled

Craigieburn: 4.31am Cancelled

Craigieburn: 4.49am Cancelled

Cranbourne: 4.23am Cancelled

Cranbourne: 4.43am Cancelled

Frankston: 4.17am Cancelled

Frankston: 4.38am Cancelled

Frankston: 6.38am Cancelled

Frankston: 8.44am Cancelled

Hurstbridge: 4.22am Cancelled

Hurstbridge: 4.52am Train will originate at Eltham

Pakenham: 4.12am Cancelled

Pakenham: 4.33am Train will originate at Dandenong

Dandenong: 5.50am Cancelled

South Morang: 4.24am Cancelled

South Morang: 4.44am Cancelled

South Morang: 5.04am Train will originate at Epping

Sunbury: 4.48am Cancelled

Sunbury: 5.42am Train will originate at Watergardens

Stony Point: 5.41am Cancelled

Upfield: 4.44am Cancelled

Werribee: 4.46am Cancelled

Werribee: 7.10am Cancelled

Williamstown: 5.01am Cancelled

FROM THE CITY

Alamein: 5.21am Cancelled - Service originates at Camberwell

Craigieburn: 5.03am Cancelled

Craigieburn: 5.21am Cancelled

Cranbourne: 4.42am Cancelled - Service originates at Dandenong

Cranbourne: 5.02am Cancelled - Service originates at Dandenong

Frankston: 4.54am Cancelled

Frankston: 5.10am Cancelled

Mordialloc: 5.20am Cancelled

Frankston: 5.30am Cancelled

Frankston: 7.35am Cancelled

Glen Waverley: 5.15am Cancelled

Hurstbridge: 5.02am Cancelled

Lilydale: 5.43am Train will originate at Ringwood

Dandenong: 4.38am Cancelled

Dandenong: 4.58am Cancelled

Pakenham: 4.54am Train will originate at Westall

Pakenham: 5.14am Train will originate at Westall

South Morang: 5.09am Cancelled

South Morang: 5.29am Cancelled

Sunbury: 5.06am Cancelled

Upfield: 5.18am Cancelled

Werribee: 4.51am Cancelled

Werribee: 5.21am Cancelled

Williamstown: 4.54am Train will originate at Newport

Williamstown: 5.14am Train will originate at Newport

V/Line says...

V/Line is still having discussions on how the industrial action will impact regional train services.

The union says...

The Metro altered timetable comes despite RTBU secretary Luba Grigorovitch saying train controllers and signallers would be on duty to ensure disruptions on Friday were limited to the four hours between 10am and 2pm.

"We would still prefer to avoid industrial action if an agreement can be reached before Friday. However, the latest offer from the company is still a long way from being acceptable," said Ms Grigorovitch said in a statement.

Metro Trains say...

Metro is urging commuters to regularly check its website and apps before travelling so they are aware of the latest changes.

"Trams and local buses will operate as normal, and customers may need to seek alternative transport at times when trains aren't running," Metro said.

The Minister says...

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said commuters were bring punished and the government had done everything it could to keep the union and Metro at the negotiating table.

"We are bitterly disappointed this is the path the union has chosen to go down," Ms Allan said.