Tips for travellers

Getting information while travelling

Train at platformMetlink: 131 638

Connex: SMS timetables and SMS updates

Yarra Trams: Tram Tracker

V/Line: 136 196

Getting information online

Timetables:

Incidents, disruptions and extra services:

More links to information from public transport operators.

Dealing with service disruptions

Obviously disruptions can vary according to individual circumstances. But here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Know your alternative routes: Is your destination served by other modes, which normally would be slower, but may be useful in emergencies? Can you catch a parallel train line to your usual one, then catch a cross-suburb bus or tram? It’s worth a little research before it happens.
  • Disruptions in the loop frequently result in trains running direct to/from Flinders Street. It may be helpful to go either to Flinders Street, or another interchange station outside the CBD (eg Richmond, North Melbourne, Caulfield)
  • Find out what’s going on. Sometimes there will be alternative services in place. Sometimes services will be re-routed around the disruption (this often happens for CBD tram services). If staff on the ground don’t know, then ring Metlink or the operators to find out what’s happening.
  • Radio and online sources may also tell you what’s going on. (See links above.)
  • Look for running services which may get you part or most of the way, to a point where you can walk or get a taxi the last stop or two.
  • If you do give up and try to find a taxi, others may be doing the same. It may be quicker to call and book a taxi than find one at a rank or on the street.

Tickets

A 2-hour ticket validated at or after 6pm is valid all evening (until 3am).

But a 2-hour ticket validated just before 3am is only valid until 3am — including those bought on Nightrider buses. Daily tickets are also valid until 3am.

Tickets only need to be valid at the start of your trip. As long as you validate (enter the station, or board the bus or tram) before the ticket expires, it’s valid until you leave the paid area.

A 10×2 hour ticket validated for a second 2 hour period in one day is valid until 3am, turning it effectively into a daily ticket. So 10×2 hour tickets are generally a better buy than a 5xDaily, as they are more flexible.

Weekly, Monthly and Yearly tickets are valid in both metropolitan zones on Saturdays and Sundays, even if the ticket is only for one zone — but not on public holidays.

Remember a Sunday Saver ticket for $2.90 is a cheap option on Sundays. But you can only buy these from Premium Stations, retailers, the Met Shop and from Metlink online. You can buy them in advance. Note the City Saver ticket available on trams is a completely different ticket.

From April 2008, a 5 x Weekend Daily will be available for the same price as five Sunday Savers, but valid on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you usually travel in one zone only and find you need to go into the other zone one day, you can buy an ‘extension ticket’ from a railway station – but only if you’re on a Weekly or longer ticket (including V/Line tickets). If you don’t have the chance to buy the extension from staff before you travel, you are allowed to buy it at your destination. Similar rules apply for travelling into regional areas.

But if you use 2 hour or daily tickets, you have to think ahead about which zones you’re going to travel in — you can’t buy an extension ticket later (unless you break your trip somewhere in the zone overlap area).

V/Line tickets are valid on services in the metropolitan zone and/or regional city where your V/Line trip starts or ends, for an hour for one-way tickets, or the full day for day return or longer-term tickets. More information from V/Line.

Want to read the fine print on tickets? Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual

Trains

Ensuring you stand behind the yellow line helps train drivers see if it’s safe to depart, helping the trains to run on time.

Stand on the left of the escalators at stations, letting those in a hurry walk on the right.

If you have a pram, it helps the driver to see you if you board near the front of the train. It’s usually easiest to push the pram on forwards, but pull it off backwards — that way you can see the wheels are over the gap. See also Connex’s brochure on this topic.

On V/Line, reservations are necessary when travelling on any Intercity (long distance) train services, and some bus services, even if you’re travelling only a short distance. Reservations are not necessary on Interurban services, between Melbourne and Marshall, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Traralgon. More detail from V/Line.

Non-PSR “ghost trains”

Non-PSR (Non-Passenger Service Requirement) “ghost trains” run predominantly on weekdays. They are used to get trains into position to run other services, and may be cancelled or altered at any time without Connex being penalised.

You can find a list here. They may save you time, but remember, you can’t rely on them.