Two V/Line passengers were transported from Geelong to Terang and Warrnambool by taxi on Monday night at a cost of $365 to the rail operator.
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The passengers were attempting to board the 7.05pm service from Southern Cross at Tarneit and Wyndham Vale, but were left behind as the train didn’t stop at those stations.
After some confusion and a considerable wait, the passengers were advised to catch a later service to Geelong.
The Warrnambool-bound passengers were then transported from Geelong to Terang and Warrnambool in a taxi paid for by V/Line, arriving just before midnight.
V/Line spokeswoman Catalina Filip said a person on the tracks was the cause of the issue.
“As the result of a trespasser on the tracks near Sunshine Station, the evening train to Warrnambool operated via the Werribee line,” Ms Filip said.
“We apologise to the customers at Wyndham Vale and Tarneit stations, who were impacted by the service changes.”
Warrnambool line V/Line services have the option of travelling along the Werribee line if there’s a disruption to the usual route.
V/Line said taxis were used when a train or replacement coach was not possible, and it covered the cost.
On Monday morning two Warrnambool line services had to be replaced by coaches due to a locomotive fault, and a Melbourne-bound train was held up for 40 minutes due to a track fault near Winchelsea.
A new timetable to be introduced on August 27 will see Warrnambool trains skip Tarneit and Wyndham Vale stations, which MP Gayle Tierney says will improve journey times and create more room for passengers.