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Celebrating Scouts Lakeside Scout Group and Papercrafters Garage Sale hosted a lively community event on Saturday, January 31, bringing together over 20 stallholders eager to clear their crafty stash. Visitors browsed a wide range of papercraft supplies, including scrapbooking, card making, stamping, and mixed media items. More photos page 3
L-R Charlie (Venturer), Harry (Cub) and Olivia (Scout). (Gaary Sissons: 531620)
Peak-hour faults Afternoon-peak commuters on the Cranbourne and East Pakenham lines were stuck in the trains without air conditioning for up to two and a half hours last night, after a fault with overhead wires in the Armadale Station area. Multiple commuters reported on social media that overhead power lines had fallen onto a train, leaving passengers stuck on board because leaving the train would cause life danger. One commuter, who was left stranded in the train, posted on social media that she got on the train at 4.50pm at Parkville Station, and was allowed to get off around 7.17pm. The disruption occurred on just the second working day of the new Metro Tunnel timetable, as many Cranbourne and East Pakenham line commuters were still familiarising themselves with the new travel patterns, with some already reporting longer travel times.
Flinders Station platforms during the disruption. (Instagram: @jacquifelgate) The power faults were not related to the Tunnel itself. Metro Trains first announced the major delays on X (then-Twitter) at around 5.30pm on Tuesday 3 February. A travel alert from the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) at about 6pm said buses
were replacing trains on the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Sunbury lines between West Footscray and Caulfield stations due to a problem with overhead wires near Armadale. “This suspension is impacting some services running through the Metro Tunnel. Services are stopped at specific points to ensure a speed recovery when repairs to overhead wires are complete,” the alert stated. “Cranbourne/Pakenham passengers should change at State Library or Town Hall to the City Loop and use Frankston Line services to Caulfield. Those on Sunbury services can switch to a Werribee or Williamstown line service at West Footscray station. “Trains will continue to run between Caulfield and Cranbourne/Pakenham, and Sunbury and West Footscray, with delays likely.” The commuters were told that replacement buses had been ordered, but it would take over 60 minutes to arrive.
51 James Street Pakenham VIC 3810 renee.heath@ parliament.vic.gov.au
Your happiness. Your smile.
reneeheathmp
12658988-AV32-24
Final homes Now selling from $530,000
12805175-MS46-25
Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick Phone: (03) 9330 0702 info@seortho.com.au | www.seortho.com.au
They were also told to allow 30 extra minutes for the journey. The overhead power fault was fixed overnight, according to Metro Trains. However, select services were cancelled, including three morning peak-hour services on the Cranbourne Line, due to some trains being out of position. Shadow Minister for Public Transport Matthew Guy said trapping passengers on trains for up to two and a half hours without air conditioning in 30-degree heat was a “big failure” and a “disgrace”. A Metro spokesperson said they apologise for the inconvenience this disruption caused and thank passengers for their patience. “While we know there was a lot of extra travel time for passengers, safety is always our top priority,” they said. “As a result of the Metro Tunnel being unavailable, we directed passengers to the City Loop as the alternate way in and out of the city.”
Renee’s message to Pakenham residents
It makes sense to feel frustrated
Renee HEATH MP
MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA
12784747-JO29-25
By Violet Li