Trackwork is the term we use for the maintenance undertaken to ensure the safety, reliability and efficiency of the CityRail network.

The majority of this maintenance work is carried out in off-peak periods such as weekends or at night to ensure the least possible inconvenience to customers. On some occasions, CityRail is able to provide at least a basic train service. However, often the nature or location of work requires the complete replacement of train services by buses in order to bypass the work site.

Look for posters at your station which provide information on maintenance work for the week ahead. This information is also available from the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or the CityRail website.

You can also subscribe to CityRail’s free trackwork information service and have details of trackwork emailed to you each week.

When major works are planned that require large-scale bus operations, CityRail will conduct a communications campaign to help ensure the community is aware of service changes. This can involve advertisements placed in newspapers, leaflets distributed at stations, posters displayed at stations, and station and guard announcements.

CityRail contracts bus companies to run replacement buses during planned trackwork, when trains cannot operate or in the case of major service interruptions.

Replacement buses go from station to station and do not pick up or set down customers in between. Bus stops are located as close to the station entrance as possible, with appropriate signs to direct you to the correct location. Bus marshals and station staff are also available to assist you.

Buses either run with the frequency of a normal train timetable (traffic allowing) or as a regular shuttle service.

A valid ticket is required to travel on CityRail replacement buses, which can still be purchased from the ticket office or machine. Normal fares apply. Transit Officers do randomly check tickets and fines may apply.

The carrying of bicycles, surfboards, luggage trolleys or large, bulky items on CityRail buses is at the discretion of the driver as space is limited. In some circumstances you might have to wait for an available service. Your co-operation is appreciated.

To minimise disruption to CityRail customers, RailCorp carries out trackwork on weekends and after hours where possible, when train and station patronage is lower.

RailCorp understands that trackwork and weekend closures inconvenience customers, but this work is necessary for the safety of the overall network.

Trackwork is scheduled to minimise the impact to customers. During holiday periods, trains carry fewer customers, especially during the working days between Christmas and New Year. Our research incidates that during these days, less than half the normal number of commuters are travelling to work.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) acknowledges that it is necessary for RailCorp to conduct maintenance and construction work outside normal business hours in order to complete work efficiently and to minimise disruption to peak period services.

When this type of work takes place, RailCorp notifies those residents likely to be affected by letterbox drop.

For any environmental complaints or enquiries, contact the Rail Greenline 24 hour hotline on 1300 656 999.