Related Pages:
Travel and disruption information
- Public Transport Victoria: Disruptions; App; phone 1800 800 007
- Metro Trains: Line status; Planned works calendar
- Yarra Trams: Tram Tracker
- V/Line: Line status; App
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 yet know, you can ring PTV using the above number.
- 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 or rideshare, 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.
- Rideshare services like Uber apply “surge pricing” in time of high demand, this often occurs when a public transport disruptions occur. You can somewhat avoid “surge pricing” by walking up to 1km away from the affected area.
Ticket tips
2-hour fares touched-on at or after 6pm are valid until 3am the next day.
A daily fare (i.e. the Myki Money Daily Cap) is also valid until 3am.
Fares only need to be valid at the start of your trip. As long as you touch on (while entering the station, or boarding the bus or tram) before the journey time expires, it’s valid until you end your journey. You won’t get charged again when you touch-off.
V/Line fares are now capped at the metropolitan daily rate. This can result in crowding, especially on weekends. You may wish to plan your trip for a quiet time.
Myki Money will charge you a maximum of $10 on weekdays, or $7.20 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. (As of July 2023)
All V/Line travel to and from metropolitan Melbourne (whether you are using Myki or a paper ticket) includes access to Melbourne’s metropolitan trains, trams and buses at no extra cost. Likewise, V/Line fares to regional cities includes local bus services. More information from V/Line (see: Extra travel included).
Want to read the fine print on tickets? See the 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 PTV’s advice on this topic.
On V/Line, reservations are necessary when travelling on any “long-distance” train services, and some coach services even if you’re travelling only a short distance. More detail from V/Line (section: Reservations).
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 Metro being penalised.
You can find an old list here (sorry, we don’t currently have an up-to-date list). They may save you time, but remember, you can’t rely on them.