{"id":12451,"date":"2024-02-19T11:24:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T01:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=12451"},"modified":"2024-02-19T10:28:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T00:28:41","slug":"v-line-workers-to-strike-ahead-of-taylor-swift-first-melbourne-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=12451","title":{"rendered":"V\/Line workers to strike ahead of Taylor Swift first Melbourne show"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Taylor Swift<\/a> fans heading to Melbourne<\/a> ahead of the first of the singer\u2019s string of sold-out Australian shows<\/a> are being warned of potential delays as rail operators plan to stop work on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entire V\/Line network will grind to a halt as workers walk off the job for the second time this week as part of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conductors, controllers, station staff and customer service employees will all stop work between 3am and 7am on Friday, and again on Monday and February 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the stoppage will only last four hours, people travelling from regional Victoria are being warned knock-on effects will be felt throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The union is encouraging Swift fans leaving regional areas early to consider alternate travel arrangements ahead of the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

V\/Line said trains will progressively return from 8am but delays and cancellations will continue throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cServices may be busier than usual while we work to recover the timetable,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Transport Victoria encouraged passengers to \u201cdelay travel or consider other transport where possible\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPassengers who need to travel should expect significant delays and plan their day accordingly,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Metro trains, trams and buses will continue services as normal, with a warning roads are expected to be busy during the stoppage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A limited number of coach replacement services will run for essential journeys during the action, with delays of two hours expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7NEWS.com.au understands the V\/Line will be working quickly to recover the timetable ahead of the surge of passengers planning to travel via public transport to Swift\u2019s show that evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be additional services and increased capacity on some lines for the concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The industrial action is the latest measure by the union as it calls for better pay and job security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe continue to negotiate with the union in good faith and have made some progress,\u201d V\/Line chief executive officer Matt Carrick said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cImportantly, we have reached an in-principle agreement with our drivers who will not be taking part in this industrial action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPassengers are advised to keep up to date with the latest travel information on the V\/Line website and through our social channels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affected train lines include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n