MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
PUBLIC TRANSPORT FAQ

Quick Notes | Passenger Information | Route Structure | Service Levels | Fares And Procedures | Directions To Places Of Interest | Administration

Also: Melbourne Airport by public transport

QUICK NOTES

• All prices in Australian dollars (A$1 is about US$0.65-$0.75) - currency conversion 
• All times Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC +10 hours, summer time GMT/UTC +11 hours)
• Prefix for all Melbourne phone numbers listed is +61-3-
• Melbourne is capital city of the state of Victoria. Population of Melbourne and suburbs is about 3 million.
• If you can correct anything here, or fill in any of the gaps, please email me (see address below). In particular anything with a ?
• The format of this document is based on a proposal for public transport FAQs from the TRANSIT-L list (now misc.transport.urban-transit) several years ago
• This FAQ is UNOFFICIAL. For official information, see the contacts in Passenger Information or the Metlink Web site
• Updated March, 2007

PASSENGER INFORMATION

• Phone:
  • The Met Information Centre 131 638 (131 MET)
  • Free call from anywhere in Australia (except from Mobiles) 1800-817900
  • TTY (Telephone Typewriter, for the deaf) 96102888
  • Hours 7am-9pm, 7 days a week
  • Automatic Ticketing (MetCard) information Free call (except from Mobiles) 1800-652313
• Walk-in:
  • The Met Shop, Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne
  • Hours 9am-5pm, weekdays; 9am-1pm Saturdays
• Web:
  • Unofficial MelTrip site (including complete indexes of bus services and services by suburb)
  • Official Metlink web site

Maps:

• "The Met Travel Guide", free from Met Shop and staffed railway stations. Shows fare prices, fare zones, train network, tram network and general information.
• "Public Transport Map of Melbourne" Cost $2.20. Available from Met Shops, staffed railway stations. Pocket sized folding map of Melbourne, with all tram, train and bus routes, fare zones, route descriptions, outer suburban services, general information, index of suburbs. (Note availability of this map is sporadoc)
• Detailed maps of the inner suburbs are displayed on most trams. Train network diagrams are displayed on trains.
• Local area maps have been installed at many stations
• See Chris Brownbill's unofficial Melbourne rail map

Timetables:

• Availability:
  • All services: Met Shop (see above), by phone from the Met Information Centre (see above)
  • All rail services: Major city railway stations
  • Local rail, tram, bus services: Local staffed railway stations
  • On the web:
    • Metlink/VicLink web site
    • Unofficial MelTrip index of timetables
    • Unofficial guide to Melbourne Airport by public transport
• Format:
  • Trams, buses: folding booklets
  • Trains: whole lines in folding booklets, wallet sized for individual stations
  • Nightrider Buses: wallet sized booklets
• En route information:
  • Train stations: departure times and full timetables displayed. Real time automated voice information is available at most stations (look for the panel with the green button on it). Most stations also have automated voice announcements. Major stations have screens or other automated displays showing next train(s).
  • Tram routes: most stops have departure times and/or frequency summary. A few stops have automated displays showing times of next tram(s).
  • Bus routes: Stops at major interchanges (eg shopping centres) have departure times. A few routes have departure times displayed at all stops.
  • All timetable and route information available by phone from Met Transport Information (see above)
  • Full copies of timetables sometimes available buses and trams - ask the driver if they are not on display

Transit advocacy group:

• Public Transport Users Association
  • Office/Postal: 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
  • Phone: 9650 7898
  • Publishes newsletter 5 times per year
  • Web: PTUA site

Other contacts:

• V/Line: country and interstate trains and buses:
  • information and booking 132 232
  • V/Line Road Coach
• Regional transit systems:
  • Geelong Transit System 5278 5955, 5223 2111
  • Bellarine Transit System 5223 2111, 5259 2322
• Taxis (ranks at many stations) (major groups only listed):
  • Black/Yellow Cabs 132227
  • Embassy Taxis 9320 0320
  • Regal Combined 9810 0222
  • Silvertop Taxis 131008
• Safety and Security:
  • Public telephones are installed at all stations
  • Almost all stations are fitted with emergency intercoms and video cameras. Look for the panel with the red button on it
  • Emergency services Freecall 000 from any phone
  • Vehicles fitted with two-way (driver) radios
  • Train video cameras and passenger help buttons

Other information on the Web

• Train companies: Connex Melbourne, V/Line Passenger

• Tram companies: Yarra Trams

• Bus companies index: Buslines

• Official Metlink Melbourne web site
• Meltrip unofficial public transport site
• RailPage
• Chris Brownbill's unofficial Melbourne rail map
• Unofficial guide to Melbourne Airport by public transport

ROUTE STRUCTURE

Modes: Rail, Tram/light-rail, Bus

List of rail routes

(suburban only). All routes start in the city centre.

• Connex Trains:
  • Clifton Hill loop (underground stations platform 1): Epping, Eltham/Hurstbridge
  • Caulfield loop (underground stations platform 2): Dandenong/Pakenham/Cranbourne, Frankston, Sandringham
  • Northern loop (underground stations platform 3): Williamstown, Werribee, Sydenham, Craigieburn (Broadmeadows), Upfield
  • Burnley loop (underground stations platform 4): Lilydale, Belgrave, Alamein, Glen Waverley
  • Flemington Racecourse/Showgrounds (Special events only)
• V/Line country rail services in the suburban area (Metcard tickets apply):
  • Melton to Sunshine
  • Sunbury to Sydenham
  • Craigieburn to Broadmeadows
  • Stony Point to Frankston

Summary of tram routes

• 40 main routes mostly around zone 1 (city and inner-suburbs).

Summary of bus routes

About 160 routes running all over Melbourne metropolitan area. They are operated by various private bus contractors. All regular bus services have route numbers. Metcard tickets apply on these buses (see Fares and Procedures) - except route 788.

Special Services:

• City Circle (free service). Runs every 10 minutes between 10am and 6pm every day (9pm Thursday to Saturday nights during summer time). Does not run on Christmas Day or Good Friday. Trams run both clockwise and anti-clockwise along Flinders Street, Spring Street, La Trobe Street and Spencer Street.
• Nightrider bus service
  • On Friday and Saturday nights, hourly between 12:30am and 3:30am, buses run between the city and suburban destinations
  • Buses stop at 12-18 locations on each route, and passengers can alight at any normal bus or tram stop along the route
  • As of March 2007, normal Metcard tickets and concessions DO apply to this service
  • All buses are equipped with mobile phones, to enable passengers to phone ahead for people to meet them ($1), or for a taxi home (free call).
  • See official Nightrider home page
• Special events: Various extra or altered services run as advertised
• Express peak services on some rail routes
• Skybus and various other Airport shuttle services (Met tickets not valid)
• Historic Transit:
  • Some tram services on routes 30 and 78/79 are run by W-class trams, which were built 1930s-50s
  • "Heritage" coloured W-class trams run on the free City Circle service
  • Puffing Billy narrow gauge steam trains (see Directions to Places of Interest)
  • Broad gauge steam trains are run by Steamrail Victoria, usually from Melbourne to country destinations
  • The Railway Museum, North Williamstown
  • Melbourne Tram Museum, Hawthorn
  • Bylands tram museum
  • Privately run restaurant W-class trams run daily

SERVICE LEVELS

Rail:

• Monday-Saturday: 5am to midnight (until about 1am on Friday and Saturday nights)
• Sunday: 8am to 11pm. Some (former "M>Train" lines run until midnight)
• Note last trains leave the city centre at the above times. Last trains leave suburban termini up to an hour before.
• Holidays: Most holidays run Saturday service, with Good Friday and Christmas Day running Sunday service
• "TrainLink" buses meet every train at Epping and Cranbourne

Frequencies (in minutes) and other information: (see the Connex web site for timetables)

• Most services between the city and Footscray, Caulfield, Clifton Hill, Burnley, Dandenong, Ringwood and Camberwell are provided by trains from the two or more lines that branch from these stations.
• # Passengers are required to change trains (co-ordinated service) at a major station between the city and terminus. This applies to off-peak Alamein and Williamstown trains, some Belgrave and Lilydale during evenings and weekends.
• Trains run via the City Loop:
  • All lines except the Sandringham line run via the Loop every day
  • Sandringham trains only run via the loop on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Weekday morning trains coming into the city run through the loop first then to Flinders St, then back to suburban destinations.
  • Weekday afternoon and evening trains into the city run direct to Flinders St, then around the loop and to suburban destinations
  • On weekends, most trains run direct to Flinders St, then around the loop and to suburban destinations, except Frankston/Dandenong/Sandringham trains which run the opposite way
  • To/From Flinders Street, allow 9 minutes extra time for trains running via the loop.
  • At some times of day it is possible to change to/from loop trains at Richmond or North Melbourne.
  • Flagstaff station is only open on weekdays.

Tram:

• Monday-Saturday: 5am to midnight (until about 1am on Friday and Saturday nights)
• Sunday: 8am to 11:30pm.
• Holidays: Most holidays run Sunday service.
• Route 30 runs weekday daytime only.
• "Tramlink" buses meet (almost) every service at Vermont South, going to/from Knox City

Frequencies (in minutes) and other information:

• *Frequency varies over different parts of route. On route 109, at these times only every second tram travels the entire route.
• +Route 82 service until 8pm only Sunday to Thursday. Until 10pm Friday and Saturday
• & City Circle runs until 9pm Thursday to Sunday in summer only. Other seasons, until 6pm. City Circle does not run on Christmas Day or Good Friday.
• Some other route numbers apply for additional trips along portions of routes, in particular for trips from the city to suburban depots after the morning peak.

Bus:

• Most bus routes do not operate evenings or Sundays. Many run every 20-30 minutes weekdays, and 30-60 minutes on Saturdays. Check bus timetables to be certain of running times.

• Monday-Saturday: Varies from 5am to midnight / 6am to 6pm

• Sunday: Varies from 8am to 11:30pm/None

• Holidays: Most holidays run Sunday service (where applicable)

FARES AND PROCEDURES

• The fare system is time and zone based. The Melbourne city and suburbs are divided into three zones, and passengers pay for the zones they want to travel in, and the time they want. A fare bought on any vehicle is valid for any other vehicle within the zone/s and time paid for. The zones are overlapping circles - the further from the city centre you are, the higher the zone number. The overlapping areas (zone borders) are in two zones, and a ticket for either zone applies. Zone 1 runs approximately to the edges of the tram system.
• City Saver tickets are available only within the City Saver zone for one train, tram or bus journey, and cannot be used on another vehicle.
• The City Circle tram route is free. Other trams running on portions of the same route are not.
• Weekly, Monthly and Yearly tickets are valid in all zones for the ticket holder only on weekends.
• MetCard (automatic) tickets are valid from the time that they are first validated

Fares as at March 2007

(Latest fares information here)

• Last increase was in January 2006 (normally annually, tied to inflation). Next expected in June 2007. Zone 3 was merged with zone 2 in March 2007.
• 2 hour tickets are timestamped/validated from the next hour, giving between 2 and 3 hours travel. 2 hour tickets timestamped/validated at or after 6pm are valid all evening (until 3am the next morning).
• The ticket must be valid at the time that you validate your ticket when entering the paid area (eg station, for trains) or boarding the vehicle (for buses or trams). If the ticket expires after this time, you may continue to use it until you leave the paid area (station) or bus or tram
• Daily and longer period tickets expire at 3am on the morning after the expiry date
• Weekly, monthly and yearly tickets are valid in all zones on Saturdays and Sundays
• Monthly and longer tickets are eligible for passenger compensation when trains or trams fail to meet performance targets
• From January 2005, weekly, monthly and yearly tickets are no longer valid for an extra day when first validated after 3pm.
• Other tickets available:
  • City Saver (single bus or tram trip, CBD and specified surrounding areas) $2.30/$1.30
  • City Saver x 10 $19.60/$9.80
  • Senior's Daily 60 Plus (only available to holders of a Seniors Card, valid in all zones for a day) $3.00
  • Nightrider takes Metcard fares as of March 2007. Bus telephone $1.00 per 2 minutes
  • Single trip tickets are offered by some private bus companies for trips on their services only, as alternatives to Met tickets. Prices vary.
  • Student passes available for primary and secondary school. Prices vary.
  • Group Traveller - travel for up to 2 adults and 6 children for a day, all zones $25.20
  • Off Peak Saver - available at stations only in zone 2 or 3, for use after 9am on weekdays only. Zone 1+2 $9.00/$4.50. Zone 1+2+3 $10.40/$5.20
• Concession fares are available to:
  • children under 15 years
  • holders of Primary/Secondary card (cost $8/year)
  • holders of Tertiary card (cost $8/year)
  • holders of Health Care Card (government welfare card)
  • holders of Health Benefits Card (government welfare card)
  • holders of Seniors Card (for retired people over 60)
  • 60 Plus Concession Card (predecessor of Seniors Card)
  • Pensioner Transport Concession Card (government welfare card)
• Full details of all terms and conditions: Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual

Disabled services

• All suburban train stations except Heyington are accessible by ramps or lifts. Each train is provided with a driver-operated portable wheelchair ramps for boarding (bookings and information 9619 2355)
• Some tram stops are accessible, and serviced by accessible (no-step) trams
• Some bus stops are accessible, and serviced by accessible buses
• All Skybus services between Southern Cross Station and Melbourne Airport are accessible
• Disability Services Department 9619 2355 (TTY connected)
• Holders of a Victorian Blind Person's Travel Pass travel free on all train, tram, bus and coach services in Victoria
  • Tactile guidance paths for the blind have been installed at all city underground railway stations
  • Large print and Braille transport guides are available
  • Guide dogs are entitled to travel free on all services
  • Telephone Typewriters (TTYs) are available for use free of charge at a limited number of country and suburban railway stations
• More details: Metlink Melbourne: Accessible transport

Boarding procedures

Rail

• Open doors by hand (pull the handle yourself, or press the Door Open button) when train stops (listen for the tone indicating the doors have been released by the driver). The doors will close by themselves (listen for the warning tones).
• Passengers with prams, wheelchairs or shopping jeeps are recommended to travel towards the front of the train, where they can be more easily seen by the driver.
• Passengers with wheelchairs requiring use of a driver-operated ramp should be at the front of the train.

Tram

• Board by any open door
• To protect tram passengers, Victorian (state) road laws prohibit motorists driving past trams which are stationary at stops, unless the stop is inside a safety zone (fenced area between the road and the track). But ensure the traffic has stopped before you step onto the street.
• If you require assistance with a pram, shopping, etc, ask the driver, though they are not obligated to help.

Bus

• Board by front door.

Alighting procedures

Rail

• Open doors by hand when door power is released by the driver (See note about warning tones, above).
• If using a pram, it is recommended you pull it backwards off the train, so you can easily ensure the wheels go over the gap.

Tram

• Pull cord or press button for next stop. Listen for the sound, or look for the light at the end of the tram that goes on when the cord is pulled.
• If the doors close before you've alighted, pull the cord again.
• Motorists are required by law to stop for passengers alighting from trams. But "Watch out before you step out".

Bus

• Pull cord or press button for next stop. On some buses, signs may request that you exit via the rear door/s, though most drivers don't insist.

Fare procedures

Note that MetCards bought at stations or retail outlets must be validated in the validation machines before use. This is so you can buy them in advance.

Rail

• If you do not already have a valid ticket, buy a ticket at the station ticket machine or at a retail outlet. If you buy a concession ticket, you will need proof of eligibility if an inspector asks to see it.
• Exact change is not required, but machines will only give a maximum of $10 in change.
  • Large ticket machines will take coins, notes or EFTPOS (debit) cards. At suburban stations there is generally one large ticket machine, at the entrance to the platform/s for city bound trains
  • The small ticket machines only take coins, and do not sell weekly, monthly, or 10x2 hour tickets
  • Station ticket machines are subject to vandalism. If using coins, you may wish to put in the lower denomination coins first, in case the coin slot is jammed. If no machine is working, make a note of the station name in case an inspector asks to see your ticket.
• Insert your MetCard into the validator when entering the platform (even if you just bought it at the ticket machine!). The validator will give the ticket back to you, and show when the ticket expires on the display.
• Some stations have gates requiring you to insert the ticket to open them. If you have luggage or a pram or are in a wheelchair, look for the wide gate.
• If an inspector asks to see your Metcard ticket at a gate or on a train, show the side that has the printed expiry date on it.
• Keep your ticket as proof of payment, and if necessary to open the gate at your destination.

Bus

• If you have a valid ticket, put it in the green validator. The validator will give the ticket back to you, and show when the ticket expires on the display.
• If you have no valid ticket, pay the driver as you board. The driver will either give you the MetCard to insert into the validator, or put it in the validator for you. Take it when it comes out of the validator again.
• Exact change is not required, although large notes may not be accepted.
• Keep your ticket as proof of payment until you alight. Inspectors patrol buses.

Tram

• If you have already a Metcard, put it in the green validator. The validator will give the ticket back to you, and show when the ticket expires on the display.
• If you have no valid ticket, buy your ticket at the machine on board the tram.
  • Notes are not accepted by tram ticket machines, but change is given.
  • Unlike buying from railway stations, you do not have to put a ticket bought on the tram into a validator. It is automatically validated for that trip.
• If an inspector asks to see your ticket, show the side of the ticket that has the printed expiry date on it.
• Keep your ticket as proof of payment until you alight. Inspectors patrol trams.

Ticket availability

• All tickets available from Met Shops/staffed railway stations (some tickets not available from station ticket machines)
• Only City Saver/2 hour/60 Plus/Daily tickets on trams and buses.
• 2 hour, daily, weekly and monthly Metcards are available from some retail outlets. Ensure you validate the ticket in the tram or station validator machine when you travel.
• To receive concession fare, a concession card must be shown when purchasing the ticket from a person (though not when using a ticket machine, obviously). The concession card must also be carried while travelling, and shown on demand to inspectors.
• Railway station ticket machines will not sell you a ticket not valid in the current zone, even if you have an existing valid ticket but are going into another zone. You can buy a ticket for another zone from a staffed station, otherwise the Metcard help line advises you should buy the extra ticket at your destination.

Intermodal fares

• With the exception of City Saver tickets, tickets are valid on any mode of transport for the specified time and fare zone, except Skybus buses and other special services.
• 2 hour tickets validated at or after 6pm are valid until 3am the next morning. Daily and longer period tickets are valid until 3am on the morning after the expiry date.

Inter-agency fares

• Met tickets are valid only on V/Line country rail services within the metropolitan zones, for all trips to Melton and Sunbury, and on all other trips outside peak hours.
• Other V/Line country rail/bus tickets can be bought at staffed rail stations, or from bus drivers/train conductors
• V/Line fares are valid in the Metcard zone where the V/Line trip starts or begins
• Metcards are not valid on Skybus

DIRECTIONS TO PLACES OF INTEREST

Airport

• Public transport services to the Tullamarine Airport (MEL) are very infrequent, and only run in day time:
  • Bus 500 (6 times per day, weekdays only) to Broadmeadows station then train to city centre
  • Bus 478/479 (7 times per weekday, 8 times per day Saturdays and Sundays) to Essendon station, then train to city centre
  • Complete timetables at the unofficial guide to Melbourne Airport by public transport
• Skybus (airport-city) no concession available, single trip $15, family $20-30. Departs from Spencer Street station to Tullamarine Airport every 10-15 minutes during daytime, 30 minutes in the evening, hourly overnight. Met fares do not apply.
• Other private airport shuttles available to suburbs. Met fares do not apply
• Taxis are plentiful, and to the city centre, cost about the same as three Skybus fares. This is probably the easiest option, especially when carrying heavy luggage or travelling in a group.

Country/interstate rail services

• All depart from Spencer St railway station. Eastern services also stop at Flinders Street. Some train services may also stop at major suburban stations.
• Tickets from any major railway station, or V/Line booking 132232
• Direct rail and/or bus services run to Ballarat, Maryborough, Mildura, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Kyneton, Echuca, Moama, Deniliquin, Cohuna, Barham, Ultima, Sea Lake, Seymour, Cobram, Tocumwal, Mulwala, Albury, Warragul, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Orbost, Leongatha, Yarram, Inverloch, Geelong, Warrnambool, Mount Gambier, Apollo Bay, Hamilton, Adelaide, Sydney

Other points of interest (excluding those in the city area)

• Melbourne Cricket Ground
  • extra train and tram services run on event days
  • train to Richmond or Jolimont
  • any tram except City Circle running east along Flinders St from the City
  • tram 48 running west from Balwyn/Kew/Richmond
  • tram 75 running west from Burwood/Camberwell/Hawthorn/Richmond
  • tram 70 running west from Wattle Park/Camberwell/Hawthorn/Richmond
  • bus 246 running north/west from Elsternwick/Elwood/St Kilda/Prahran or south from Clifton Hill/Collingwood/Richmond
  • bus 605 running north from Caulfield/Armadale/Toorak (daytime only)
• Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne Park), Olympic Park and Entertainment Centre, Multipurpose Venue (Formerly Vodafone Arena)
  • extra tram services run on event days
  • train to Richmond (10 min walk)
  • tram 70 east along Flinders St, City
  • tram 70 west from Richmond/Hawthorn/Camberwell/Wattle Park
  • bus 605 running north from Caulfield/Armadale/Toorak (daytime only)
  • bus 246 running north/west from Elsternwick/Elwood/St Kilda/Prahran or south from Clifton Hill/Collingwood/Richmond
• Telstra Dome (formerly Colonial Stadium)
  • extra tram and train services run on event days
  • train to Spencer Street
  • tram 48 from Balwyn/Kew/Richmond/Flinders Street
  • tram 86 from Bundoora/Preston/Collingwood/Bourke Street
  • tram 30 from LaTrobe Street (weekday off-peak only)
  • City Circle tram
  • walk over footbridge from any Spencer Street tram
• Railway Museum: train to North Williamstown
• Scienceworks: train to Spotswood
• Shrine of Remembrance: any tram going south on Swanston St except 1 or 22
• Royal Botanical Gardens: tram 8 going south on Swanston Street or west from Toorak/South Yarra
• Melbourne University: any tram going north on Swanston Street
• Monash University (Clayton): train to Huntingdale, then 630 bus to campus (zone 1 applies on this bus route). Many other bus routes to Monash operate from various suburbs.
• Melbourne Zoo:
  • Train to Royal Park
  • Tram 55 from William Street (Monday-Saturday only)
  • Tram 68 from Elizabeth St (Sundays only)
  • Tram 19 from Elizabeth St, if you don't mind a five minute walk.
• Healesville Sanctuary
  • Train to Lilydale, then 685 bus (buses are infrequent - check times)
• Puffing Billy narrow gauge steam railway: train to Belgrave.
  • Steam trains operate every day except Christmas Day.
  • No steam trains run on days declared as Total Fire Ban days. Diesel trains run instead.
  • Information 9870 8411.
  • Met tickets do not apply on Puffing Billy.
• St Kilda Beach
  • Tram 16 running south from Swanston St
  • Tram 96 running west on Bourke St.
  • Tram 112 running west on Collins St
  • Tram 69 running south from Kew/Hawthorn/Malvern/Caulfield
  • Tram 79 running south from Richmond/Prahran
  • Trams 3, 5, 64, 67 run nearby (St Kilda Road)
  • Bus 600/922/923 running north/west from Cheltenham/Black Rock/Sandringham/Brighton/Elwood
  • Bus 246 running south from Clifton Hill/Richmond/Prahran, or west from Elsternwick/Elwood.
  • Bus 623 running west from Glen Waverley/Chadstone/Carnegie/Caulfield (Monday-Saturday daytime only)
• Albert Park
  • Tram 96 running west on Bourke Street
  • Tram 112 running west on Collins Street
  • Any tram except 1 or 22 running south on Swanston Street
  • Bus 216, 219, 220 running south on Queen Street
• Grand Prix (Albert Park)
  • See above. Extra tram and train services run on race days
  • Check ticket for gate number and Grand Prix advertising for details of extra services. Look for gate numbers indicated on trams.

ADMINISTRATION

• The state government co-ordinates services. For details see the Department Of Infrastructure site
• Metlink manages signage, maps, advertising, and other information
• Two privatised companies run train and tram services in Melbourne:
  • Connex Melbourne runs suburban rail lines
  • Yarra Trams runs all tram routes
• Bus services are run by various companies
• Rough history of changes

Copyright© Daniel Bowen (dbowen at custard dot net dot au). Updated March, 2007. Thanks to all contributors.

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