Passengers across Victoria will be able to travel more easily this festive season, with two days of free public transport and extra services to help people get to major events, including the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Extra services will operate across the network over the weekend, with public transport free on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve on all metropolitan and regional trains, trams and buses.
An additional 48 services will run each day, making it easier to get to and from the MCG and to experience the Metro Tunnel as part of the Summer Start timetable.
Passengers are already benefiting from free public transport on weekends ahead of the Big Switch on 1 February, which will fully integrate the Metro Tunnel into the network.
All public transport will be free for everyone on 25 and 31 December to help Victorians travel safely and easily during the holiday period.
On Christmas Day, free travel will apply from 3:00am on Thursday, 25 December until 3:00am on Boxing Day. Services will run to a regular Sunday timetable, with some changes to V/Line coach services.
V/Line passengers travelling on long-distance train and scheduled coach services will still need to book for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, with tickets issued free of charge. No ticket is required for regional town bus travel.
Public transport will again be the easiest way to get around on New Year’s Eve, with free travel available from 6:00pm on Wednesday, 31 December. V/Line long-distance passengers arriving in Melbourne after 6:00pm will also travel free.
Extra services will operate into the early hours, with free travel continuing until 6:00am on New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, all City Loop stations will remain open until 3:00am to provide more options for late-night travel.
For V/Line passengers, the first service from Melbourne to all regional destinations on New Year’s Day will also be free, regardless of whether it departs before or after 6:00am.
From Thursday, 1 January, all passengers under 18 will be eligible for free travel with a youth myki anywhere and anytime. Seniors, Carers and Disability Support Pensioners will also be able to enjoy free weekend travel across Victoria.
For information and to plan your journey, visit transport.vic.gov.au/journey.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said,“Whether it’s the weekend, Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve, everyone should make the most of the free public transport available this December.”
“We want all Victorians to enjoy more time with family and friends this festive season, and free public transport helps make those connections even easier.”
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