By Alesha Capone
MORE than 150 motorists have been penalised for driving along a Sunshine road lane which was reserved for buses, during construction on the Regional Rail Link.
A section of Ballarat Rd, between Anderson Rd and Ashley St, was closed to regular drivers during the school holidays, which ended last week.
Train services were suspended for the fortnight and VicRoads officers patrolled the area to ensure express buses, carrying commuters from Albion and Sunshine Railway Stations to Flemington, were not hindered by other cars.
VicRoads’ Nial Finegan said officers booked 149 people for unlawfully driving in a bus lane between Monday 4 July and last Wednesday, plus another eight motorists for stopping in a bus lane.
“Traffic on the bus replacement route is operating well despite the changed conditions and additional buses,” he said.
Brimbank Highway Patrol Sergeant Rod Stein said police were also enforcing the ban, to ensure the lane stayed clear for buses during morning and afternoon peak times.
Sgt Stein said there were several signs to let drivers know the temporary bus lane was in place.
“There is no excuse for driving in it,” he said.
“We don’t issue warnings, we have been booking people for it.”
The Regional Rail Link Authority CEO, Corey Hannett, was not able to say when the Sydenham train line would close for more RRL works in the future.
“Constructing the Regional Rail Link will involve temporary rail network shutdowns so that works can be carried out safely within the rail corridor,” he said.
“While it is anticipated that future Regional Rail Link works may take place over the summer and school holiday periods in coming years, the timing and frequency of these will be determined when our construction partners are on board in 2012.”
Keilor MP Natalie Hutchins said the State Government should have timetabled the RRL construction works on weekends and evenings so fewer travellers were disrupted during the school holidays.
“I would say two third of the people who catch the train were driving to the city,” she said.
“At 6.30am on the Melton Highway, the traffic was bumper to bumper. Cars weren’t moving.”
