Panicked rail passengers forced open train doors to escape searing heat after major train signal faults sent parts of the V/Line network into meltdown during Thursday's peak-hour commute.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Passengers were trapped inside at least one train with little to no air-conditioning after Victoria's extreme temperatures caused signal faults at Lara and Corio on the Geelong V/Line track.
A train back-up on the line meant many passengers endured long delays.
Some took to Twitter to vent their frustration, with one user saying among those trapped was a pregnant woman and that commuters were "scared and panicked".
It took more than two hours for 'JP' to travel from Melbourne to Geelong on the affected train. He watched dozens of commuters escape from the train at Lara.
"They were out walking on a track with other trains and cars not far away," he said.
"At some stage, if this sort of thing continues they [V/Line] are going to have something major go wrong. There were pregnant people, elderly people. They were lucky this time."
Up to 25 trains on the Geelong line were replaced by buses on Thursday.
V/Line spokesperson Brad Vosss admitting air-conditioning on board the Warrnambool-bound train was "not the greatest".
With a predicted top of 42 degrees on Friday, the rail operator said heat-induced speed restrictions will be in force, and that passengers should factor extra time into their travel plans.
"Some services are replaced by coaches between Geelong and Waurn Ponds but passengers will travel by train for the majority of their journey between Geelong and Southern Cross."
"Trains can now run at 130 km/h when the temperature is between 36 and 39 degrees, up from 90 km/h last summer," Mr Voss said.
He said the 90km/h restriction only applies when the temperature reaches 39 degrees - as it had this week.
"We would like to thank passengers for their patience while we work to minimise disruptions during the summer months."
Passengers can check for disruptions on the Geelong line via the V/Line website, app or Twitter feed.
5.33 @vline_geelong talso copping it in train signal fault plus heat chaos chaos. Conductor has been nice - opened doors and letting people get at little river station. Lots of people organising to get picked up with no eta of departure.#stranded @JacintaAllanMP @geelongaddy??? Nicole Cairns (@nicelca) January 18, 2018
@vline_geelong @VLine just wanted to praise your guard on 1713 Warnambool service affected at Lara. First class customer care and consideration for passengers in need. Exceptional job. Shame about all the muppets that broke the doors to get off. Patience is a virtue #idiots??? Paul Tinker (@PWTinker) January 18, 2018
@3AW693 @vline_geelong train stuck b4 Lara. Air con not working. PEOPLE have smashed door to get out. It's chaotic. Travellers scared and panicking. Alarms ringing. OMG. PREGNANT WOMAN NOW SICK. pic.twitter.com/QIgn5HWNxD??? Mad As Hell (@jphenleymad) January 18, 2018