V/Line train disruptions LIVE updates: Victoria’s entire regional train network shut down after nationwide Telstra outage

Tony Sagnelli, of Kew, was sitting on a train bound for Echuca when he heard a PA announcement that it was delayed due to a signalling problem.

“I’ve been running around for the last hour and a half waiting for an alternative,” he said as he waited to get onto a replacement bus at Southern Cross Station.

Victoria Police have just issued a statement about the outage. This is what it said:

Victoria Police is aware of a telecommunications outage affecting a number of Victoria Police mobile and landline services.

The issue is being monitored and assessed. At this time, there is no evidence of any impact to frontline service delivery.

Triple Zero Victoria remains fully operational and continues to dispatch calls for police assistance.

Regional and some intercity trains in NSW are facing significant delays amid a widespread Telstra outage that also halted regional Victorian trains.

Suburban Sydney Trains services and Metro services so far appear unaffected.

“Due to Telstra outage, significant delays are expected to all services,” Transport for NSW has warned.

Brodie Goss, from the Hobart area, was planning to head to Traralgon in Gippsland with his partner.

“We got off the plane about 6am and took the bus straight here,” he said. ” I’ve been waiting since a 7-ish.”

Goss said he hadn’t heard anything about the outages before he arrived at Southern Cross. “I’m part of Telstra, so I’ve got nothing right now on my phone and we only heard about it from the other side of the station when they were kind of talking about it.

“We didn’t realise this might not be such a quick trip to Traralgon.”

Goss said an Uber would cost up to $300, so planned to stay put.

The entire V/Line train system is down. A spokesman for the service has just put out this statement:

The V/Line network has been impacted by the nationwide Telstra outage.

This has resulted in significant impacts to our passengers this morning with no trains able to run on the V/Line network.

A very limited coach replacement service is in place and passengers are asked to avoid travel until further notice.

Passengers are encouraged to check on the V/Line website and app for the latest information.

We thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we work to restore services as soon as possible.

According to the V/Line website, the state’s entire regional train network has shut down due to the Telstra outage.

“Due to a radio network fault affecting the network, services are currently unable to operate,” the website states. “There is no estimated time for rectification at this stage. Very limited coach replacement services will be available.”

Passengers are advised to defer travel where possible.

The federal government has issued a statement reminding Telstra of its responsibilities to ensure that customers can reach emergency services amid the ongoing network outage.

“The Australian government has been advised by Telstra that there is an outage affecting a large number of mobile calls and connections,” a statement from the office of acting Communications and Transport Minister Kristy McBain.

“Like all telcos, Telstra must notify customers and emergency services of any major outage. Australian phones are also required to fall back to other networks for 000 access.”

The government was aware of the halting of Victoria’s regional train network, the statement said.

“We understand Telstra is working on resolving the issue, and arrangements are being made for affected rail passengers.”

On November 8, 2023, an Optus outage knocked out Melbourne’s train network.

Metro Trains’ systems failed and it was unable to rely on its backup system.

Back then, it took nine hours for services to begin to return to normal.