Victorians travelling from Geelong to Melbourne and vice-versa will be able to access a free ferry service while sections of the Geelong train line are closed due to level crossing removal works.
Passengers travelling to and from Victoria’s second-largest city will have more travel options this month with a free ferry service operating as the Andrews Labor Government delivers level crossing removal works on the Geelong rail line in April and May.
Free express ferry services from the Port Phillip Ferries will operate between Steampacket Pier in Geelong and Harbour Esplanade at Docklands from April 11 to May 3, providing the direct service for passengers each weekday while travel changes are in place.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
It will operate Monday to Friday, with one service travelling from Geelong to Docklands at 7am, and a return service in the evening from Docklands to Geelong at 5.30pm. Free parking is available at Geelong Station and is around 10 minutes’ walk from the pier.
The journey will take about 90 minutes and the accessible ferry features comfortable seating, work tables, charging stations, a cafe and free Wi-Fi. Bookings for the ferry service are essential and must be made in advance online.
Geelong trains will be disrupted in various sections from Tuesday 11 April to Wednesday 3 May while crews work to remove the Mt Derrimut Road, Deer Park level crossing, build the new Deer Park Station and carry out V/Line maintenance.
Alongside the free express ferry service, coach replacements and shuttle buses will connect with metropolitan services during this time.
Once the Mt Derrimut Road level crossing is gone, it will mean the line is boom gate-free between the city and Deer Park, easing delays for the 23,000 vehicles that pass through the crossing every day, where boom gates can be down for up to 60 per cent of the morning peak.
The Labor Government’s program of Big Build works is boosting the economy, creating more than 50,000 jobs and transforming the way Victorians travel.
To plan your journey before you travel, including booking the ferry, visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au.
