A SIGNALLING failure caused by intentional damage to communications cables near Drouin caused the cancellation of all Gippsland line morning peak services yesterday.
Thirteen Gippsland line trains were replaced by buses after vandals cut a fibre optic link, affecting around 1,700 commuters. The first train of the day to run as scheduled was the 0910 Traralgon to Melbourne service.
V/Line CEO Theo Taifalos said in a media release the vandalism was “senseless” and costly”.
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“All acts of vandalism are senseless, but in this case it was also a costly exercise with all peak hour trains needing to be replaced by coaches,” Mr Taidalos said.
“Nobody wants to start their Monday like this, so I really feel the frustration experienced by our customers this morning.
The damage was detected before the first train from Traralgon, the 0431, was scheduled to leave.
“Vandalising railway equipment is a criminal act that could ultimately result in an injury or an accident. I appeal to anyone with any information on this morning’s incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Mr Taifalos said.
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