Posted: 2024-05-01 05:00:00

Travellers on a tram in zones one and two should touch on, but don’t need to touch off. But those travelling on a tram in zone two should touch on and off for a cheaper fare.

And those who touch on in the free tram zone – which extends from Queen Victoria Market to Docklands, Spring Street, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square – will be charged a two-hour zone one and two fare.

The unused funds from expired myki cards have left the state government with a windfall worth $113 million.

The unused funds from expired myki cards have left the state government with a windfall worth $113 million.Credit: Scott McNaughton

What happens if your myki card expires?

All myki cards expire within four years, with an option to extend by another two years if they expired recently or are about to. Commuters can reclaim unused myki money funds through the Public Transport Victoria website, app or by phone.

However, many either choose not to do either because they’ve lost their card, were visitors to Melbourne, or couldn’t be bothered clawing back a few dollars.

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The unused funds from expired myki cards have left the state government with a windfall worth $113 million.

The government is not using the funds and encourages those affected to apply for a refund, but some experts like Professor Currie say visitors to Victoria are most affected by the issue.

“In cities like Sydney, visitors can use their credit card to access public transport, and in London, they can return their Oyster card at the airport and receive any unused funds before taking off again,” he said. “Tourists in Victoria have no choice with the ticketing system as it is. It’s an unwritten tax on tourism.”

Why does the City Loop service change directions in the middle of the day?

Every day at 12.55 pm, the City Loop train services change direction. It’s a quirk that has left even the most astute traveller perplexed.

The first train to pass through the new Museum (now known as Melbourne Central) train station in 1981.

The first train to pass through the new Museum (now known as Melbourne Central) train station in 1981.Credit: The Age

A spokesperson from the Department of Transport said the City Loop services switch directions to minimise the journey time for peak-hour commuters travelling between the suburban and City Loop stations of Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff.

“To achieve this, Burnley and Caulfield loops need to change direction at 12.55 pm to prepare for the afternoon peak,” the spokesperson said.

Why do some train services include multiple variations?

When stopping patterns on Public Transport Victoria timetables are being determined, factors ranging from “the day and time, passenger demand and analysing data” are considered.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen.Credit: Darrian Traynor

Daniel Bowen from the Public Transport Users Association said there are more than 15 stopping variations on the busy route between Richmond and Ringwood stations.

“It’s excessive,” he said.

Are there any rules preventing a train driver from departing a station early?

A train driver can’t necessarily leave early because the definition of punctuality for trains is measured as 92 per cent of services arriving on time at a destination, according to the Metro Trains compensation code.

Train services are considered on time if they are delivered between 59 seconds early, and four minutes and 59 seconds late.

However, under the most recent franchise agreements, Metro Trains and Yarra Trams have tougher punctuality and reliability targets than in previous contracts, meaning they must meet performance targets each month or be liable to pay compensation – this includes penalties for early departure.

Can commuters get money back for a delayed or cancelled train service?

Yes, but the criteria for compensation is very narrow and only available for those with a myki pass and not myki money, said Bowen.

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With many officer workers working from home part-time, very few people use myki pass any more he said. “You have to have used your pass 10 or more days and if the network-wide average is over a particular threshold, you can win back some compensation. It’s quite unlikely most people will be eligible for compensation.”

According to documents obtained last year by The Age through a freedom-of-information request, only 418 claims for compensation – worth $3608 in myki credit – were approved when Metro missed its cancellation target in July 2022.

What happens if you drop your phone on the train tracks?

First rule: don’t try and get it yourself.

While it may be tempting, a trained staff member is the first port of call for this type of mishap.

Depending on train schedules, a staff member will collect your item for you as soon as it is safe to do so.

Why aren’t there toilets at every station?

The lack of toilet facilities at some train stations is a highly contentious issue. The multimillion-dollar station upgrade at Ringwood East didn’t even include them.

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According to the state government, toilets are available at staffed stations to ensure safety for passengers. Currently, the government only provides toilets at stations which are staffed from the first train to the last. A decision on staffing a train station often depends on how busy the network is in that location.

Bowen said the decrease in toilet amenities began when the government introduced ticket machines in the 1990s and “removed staff off most of the stations, and closed most toilets”.

Why are there so many bus replacements on train routes lately?

Victoria’s Big Build projects will continue disrupting train passengers this autumn, with nine metro and five regional rail lines impacted at different times in coming months, according to the state government.

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Bowen says the department could improve communications and better inform passengers of frustrating bus replacements.

“There are parts of the system that are very confusing and authorities don’t adequately explain it to passengers,” he says. “Right across the network, there are things that should be simplified for passengers – even quirky things can be intimidating.”

Can a member of the public buy an old tram?

Tram enthusiasts had the best chance of purchasing a W-Class tram in 2018, when VicTrack offered more than 130 retired carriages to the public through expressions of interest.

Tram Cafe in a restored W-class tram in front of William Angliss Institute on La Trobe Street, Melbourne.

Tram Cafe in a restored W-class tram in front of William Angliss Institute on La Trobe Street, Melbourne.Credit: Wayne Taylor

Almost 100 carriages, which were stored at the historic Newport rail workshop, have since been repurposed for a range of uses, including cafes, accommodation, and educational and arts spaces.

However, it is unknown how many – if any – retired trams now reside in the backyards of Melburnians.

How many trains, trams and buses does Victoria have?

Metro Trains operates 469 trains and 2300 buses on the city’s network, while Yarra Trams has 498 active trams.

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Meanwhile, V/Line operates 147 trains on the regional Victorian network.

The state government has also committed $1.85 billion to build 100 new accessible G-Class trams. The Victorian-made trams will begin testing on the network from 2025.

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