The Free Tram Zone will be extended and more public transport services added for AFL Grand Final week and the Melbourne Royal Show, helping families and fans get to two of Victoria’s biggest events.
From Wednesday 24 September, the Free Tram Zone will extend to the MCG on routes 48, 70 and 75, giving passengers direct access to the Footy Festival at Yarra Park.
For the AFL Grand Final Parade on Friday, trains will run to a Saturday timetable, supported by 47 additional services and extra trams.
On Grand Final Day, 60 extra train services will run—18 before the match and 42 after the final siren. Extra trams will operate along Collins and Flinders streets, with shuttle trams running between Flinders Street Station and the MCG. V/Line will also add 11 services for fans travelling from Geelong and Ballarat.
The Melbourne Royal Show opens Thursday 25 September, with more than 450,000 visitors expected. To support the crowds, over 100 extra train services will run each day from Flinders Street Station, departing every 10–15 minutes from platforms 8, 9 and 10 from 9:10am. The last train from the Showgrounds leaves at 10:40pm on weekdays and 10:30pm on weekends. Route 57 trams will also run additional services between Elizabeth Street and the Showgrounds.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said, “With so much happening this week, we’re adding services right across the network so families can spend more time enjoying the footy and the Show.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said, “Grand Final week and the Melbourne Royal Show are two of Victoria’s biggest traditions—bringing hundreds of thousands of people together and proving why Melbourne is the nation’s sporting and events capital.”
Passengers can plan their journeys at ptv.vic.gov.au or vline.com.au.
Meanwhile, Ambulance Victoria has reminded footy fans to celebrate safely this AFL grand final long weekend. Acting Executive Director Michael Georgiou urged Victorians to save paramedics for life-threatening emergencies, drink responsibly, stay hydrated, and look out for mates.
For non-urgent medical needs, fans can access the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Nurse on Call (1300 60 60 24), Urgent Care Clinics, or their local GP or pharmacist. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
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