This major network change involves operationally separating lines to make them more reliable by being less susceptible to knock on delays caused by problems on other lines. There would also be simpler stopping patterns, greater consistency and higher all day frequencies. What was often referred to as "moving to a Metro style system". The biggest structural change to operations is to the Frankston, Williamstown and Werribee lines, creating a cross-city group on weekdays. Metro described it as being the biggest change to services in a decade.
A rough summary:
* Frankston line off-peak services will run direct to and from Flinders Street instead of half direct and half via the City Loop. The direct services will run through to Werribee or Williamstown, creating a hopefully consistent cross-city group. There will be more peak express services in the afternoon. Some Frankston trains will continue to run via the City Loop.
* A major revamp for the Werribee line. Peak services improve to every 11 min from Werribee. However the quieter Williamstown and Altona (from Laverton) line trains will only be every 22 min in the peak - hard to remember. The off-peak 6 trains per hour from Werribee introduced in the July 2009 timetable drops back to 3 trains per hour (via the express track). These will be through-routed to Frankston. Altona passengers lose their direct interpeak trip to the city with their trains operating as Laverton - Newport shuttles with a change at Newport. However Williamstown passengers gain a one seat ride interpeak.
* Glen Waverley morning trains run direct to Flinders St instead of via City Loop. More morning trains from Blackburn will run via the City Loop.
* Sandringham, Sydenham, Craigieburn and Upfield gain extra peak services.
February 2011 advice of changes:
Destination Better subsite to explain the changes:
Daniel Bowen write-up: https://danielbowen.com/2011/01/19/new-timetables-in-may/
Note: This item added retrospectively for posterity.
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