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[VIC] Free Train Travel before 7am Weekdays [Melbourne]

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[VIC] Free Train Travel before 7am Weekdays [Melbourne]
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keano1 on 21/01/2014 - 10:43 ptv.vic.gov.au (3919 clicks)
Last edited 09/01/2024 - 16:40 by 1 other user

This has been around for sometime now, however I can't find anything on Ozbargain and I know some people aren't aware that it applies with Myki.

Free travel on Melbourne's electrified train network for trips finishing before 7.00am (weekdays). However technically it is before 7.15am exactly. I believe they have done this with Myki to allow for trains that are late. If your train arrives after this you will be charged.

You need to have a Myki and positive balance. You need to touch on and off and you wont be deducted anything.

If you only train into and from the city then this essentially halves the cost of your travel as you only pay for a 2 hour fare.

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Comments

  • csi-lk on 21/01/2014 - 10:50
    +11

    Awesome, didn't know this thanks!

      • hi5 on 21/01/2014 - 12:28
        +79

        Obviously you don't travel on the weekends or public holidays often - its now capped at $6.00!

        • Tal_Shiar on 21/01/2014 - 13:20
          +5

          Thanks for that I was wondering why I paid full fare yesterday…

        • jv on 21/01/2014 - 23:26
          -8

          Obviously you don't travel on the weekends or public holidays often

          My parole officer won't let me after the last trip…

      • elusiveness on 21/01/2014 - 12:29
        +8

        Weekend daily cap is now $6, effective from the 1st of January 2014.

      • fowl on 21/01/2014 - 12:30
        +1

        Weekend cap was changed to $6 at the beginning of this year. ;)

        • jv on 21/01/2014 - 23:28
          -7

          who changed it? and why wasn't I told?

        • patinadiary on 22/01/2014 - 08:39
          +3

          …because your parole officer didn't want to.

        • Lucky13 on 22/01/2014 - 11:47

          Yknow Im sick of everyone being mean to jv just for the sake of being mean. You might think they've got a hard as nails exterior but just like everyone else they do not. No one wants to come onto a website and read people being mean to someone

        • Tal_Shiar on 22/01/2014 - 13:06

          It's one thing to make references about being a neg vote collector, but vague insults about parole officers are related to bargains how?

        • yaziyo on 22/01/2014 - 15:20
          +1

          He was referencing this post…
          https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/131074#comment-1807315

        • Tal_Shiar on 22/01/2014 - 17:36
          +2

          My mistake, I had my jv filter on…

        • Repposh on 09/01/2024 - 12:46
          +1

          The weekend cap is $7.20
          https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/fares/metropolitan-fares/

          • FlipperMeTimbers on 09/01/2024 - 15:34
            +3

            @Repposh: Hey Repposh, you’re just 3,639 days late - which may perhaps be the reason of the increase in cost.

      • csi-lk on 21/01/2014 - 13:16

        Thought the reason MyKey came in was to stop them having to offer this, apparently was wrong…

      • Lucky13 on 21/01/2014 - 13:50

        Didnt know that weekend and public holiday travel was capped at $3. Is that just for trains also or for trams too. Sorry, am new to Melbourne :)

        Edit: Oops just read above stuff about $6, thanks :)

        • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 15:21
          +1

          Caps include all forms of metro public transport (The weekend cap is simply set lower than the weekday one). You don't get separate tickets for different PT types in Melbourne.

      • sash213 on 21/01/2014 - 15:25

        JV NEG BOMB!!

        sash213 on 21/01/2014 - 15:25 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
        • jv on 21/01/2014 - 23:28
          +3

          just warming up for the new year…

      • IMBI3 on 23/01/2014 - 01:36

        This comment does not show any respect for other ozb members

  • Holysmoke on 21/01/2014 - 10:56

    Start time?

    • lplau on 21/01/2014 - 10:57
      +3

      First train for the day is the start time, end time is 7:15AM exit the gates.

    • JimmyF on 09/01/2024 - 12:14
      -1

      any train leaving after 12:01am

    • admx on 09/01/2024 - 14:21
      +1

      From the PTV website - "A new day of myki fares begins at 3am."

  • lplau on 21/01/2014 - 10:56
    +2

    Its been around for almost 5 years now.

    It used to be called the "Early Bird" when it was on the Metcard System. You simply had to go ask the guy at the station for a Free "10 x Early Bird" Metcard and you could use it to enter and exit before 7:15AM.

    Make sure you have a positive balance, as they probably have the right to fine you if you don't. Since I remember them advertising the Early Bird option, however some people thought "oh its free, I don't need a Metcard to take advantage of it". Saw a few people during my time who got fined due to this.

    • hollykryten on 21/01/2014 - 11:18

      Yes because they had no ticket as in that metacard.

    • JimmyF on 09/01/2024 - 12:15

      Make sure you have a positive balance, as they probably have the right to fine you if you don't

      You have to have a positive balance to touch on….. Even though its free travel you are touching on/off, just not being charged.

  • 00 on 21/01/2014 - 11:00
    +18

    Did you know the Vic Govt increased the weekend all day Myki from $3.50 to $6.00 on 1st January 2014.
    This also applies to public holidays.

    That is a 71% increase overnight!
    ( From The Age site.)

    • CryssieJade on 21/01/2014 - 11:03
      +1

      Noooooo!!! Really? That's crap! I was planning to hang out in the city all weekend because of that $3.50 fare :( I miss it already!
      And I'm a concession, so that stings even more!

    • 00 on 21/01/2014 - 11:11
      +3

      The Vic Govt said the old rate was ''unsustainable''. SMH

      This ABC news article explains why. This blog also goes into detailed analysis.

    • FloatingPoint on 21/01/2014 - 11:14
      +7

      Compare the ridiculous PT cost in Brisbane, $6 all day is cheap.

        • jackystudio on 21/01/2014 - 12:28
          +3

          it's actually capped $6 per day, nearly 200% increase, no good at all >.<
          "Weekend and public holiday daily cap
          On weekends and public holidays, you will pay no more than $6.00 per day for unlimited travel in Zones 1 and 2."

        • louuisc on 21/01/2014 - 13:04
          +16

          I saw you giving wrong information twice in this thread, and with a attitude..

          Could you say something that you actually know?

        • centrelink on 21/01/2014 - 13:57

          Give him a break, he obviously proud of going on the worst public transport system in the world

        • jv on 21/01/2014 - 23:22
          -4

          giving wrong information twice in this thread

          got it from here…

          http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=468…

          $3 per day…

        • Lucky13 on 22/01/2014 - 12:10

          Yeah it does actually say $3 a day on weekends on the Only Melbourne website, maybe the website needs updating??

          Says:

          myki money gives you access to discounted daily fares, early bird discounts and $3 daily travel on weekends and public holidays. Further discounts apply to concession customers and Victorian seniors

        • tonester on 22/01/2014 - 12:19
          +2

          @jv

          giving wrong information twice in this thread

          got it from here…

          http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=468…

          pro-tip: use primary sources :)

      • TexasVujicic on 09/01/2024 - 14:48

        while other side of the world, i do find humour in everyone saying how good European PT is.

        in the Netherlands, the equivalent of going North Melbourne - Flinders St. on the NS is 6 euros.

        20% Discount if are a local, but not really

  • voteoften on 21/01/2014 - 11:02

    I don't live in Melbourne, but this is amazing. I hope it stays in deals and gets added to wiki and maybe even the travel section. It is fabulous.

  • bm on 21/01/2014 - 11:03

    Also, if the train is delayed, you have to pay for the trip. I complain to the call center every time I'm charged because I exit the platform at 07:20 because the prior train was cancelled and I should have had a free trip. I worry it'll be scrapped due to labor costs refunding delays.

    • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 11:22
      +2

      Yes, they factor in the 15min already for delayed trains, etc but if you rely on that time (15mins more sleep at 5am means a lot!) and you can't get through the ticket gate before it hits 7:15 then you're paying full price (and you'll be wondering why you bothered esp as you try to stay awake in the late arvo). Been thee done that. If your train gets cancelled good luck. As with any train ticket there's no guarantee of service delivery.

  • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 11:03
    +1

    It's been available since 2008 (eg. Metcard Early Bird ticket) and always described in ticket brochures/website. I used to use it. You still need a ticket (Myki now) otherwise you can't get through barrier gates.
    http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/03/melbourne_commuters_can…
    http://www.theage.com.au/national/discount-fares-on-the-card…

    It had nothing to do with Myki. It was to try and spread the peak loads in the city due to overcrowding of trains.
    There are rumors it may be removed in future (as with other changes such as the major increase to weekend ticket prices).

  • xception on 21/01/2014 - 11:09
    +3

    So are you able to get off at an earlier stop, at lets say 7:10, for free

    then only pay from the closer station to you final destination? :)

    • 00 on 21/01/2014 - 11:15
      +2

      Melbourne uses a two zone system for charging fares. There is no 'per stop' charge. Between zones there is an overlap. You could travel into one zone for free and get off and then do as you say. Though I'm sure most people would want to get to their destination as quickly as possible.

    • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 11:37
      +1

      Yes, you can but keep in mind there aren't many trains running at that time of the morning and you may need a stopping all stations one (if express bypass that station).

      Also it only applies to trains so if you need to use a bus or tram then you are paying full price anyway (no saving).

  • marcusv on 21/01/2014 - 11:22
    +7

    It is always free travel on the number 8 tram. The girth of ticket inspectors makes it impossible for them to board the dangerously overcrowded number 8. I have not seen an inspector in at least 3 years.

    • sydneywest on 21/01/2014 - 12:23

      too bad. they are now going to check the ticket on the number 8 tram from now on

      • smpantsonfire on 09/01/2024 - 14:14

        3 years of free fares, will still pay off.

  • John Dough on 21/01/2014 - 11:27
    +1

    I must add that with Metro's 'Summer Timetable'
    (AKA 'we have no staff to backfill xmas and school holiday leave timetable')
    there may not be any trains prior to 7:15am.

    Who agreed to let them suddenly change the timetables and reduce trains??

    • damoo on 21/01/2014 - 12:25
      +3

      not to mention the taxpayers are paying around 300million per year MORE to metro than connex were.
      (600ish mil connex, vs 900ish metro)

      More money for less services?

      where do I sign up for that sort of deal?!

      • Tal_Shiar on 21/01/2014 - 13:30

        Each and every trip is where you sign up :P

  • BeefBiryani on 21/01/2014 - 11:27
    +1

    Tempting but not worth the early morning sleep.

  • freo on 21/01/2014 - 11:32

    For a Zone 2 resident heading to Zone 1 (or vice versa), it's a $6.06 saving per day. ($3.58 for Zone 1 only) That's a huge saving considering how much effort ozbsargainers put into saving a dollar!
    (For zone 1 and 2 it's $30.30 per week, $1575 per year if you travel every day)

    At Flinders Street Station, all the gates are open until about 7:05am so about half the passengers don't even bother swiping on or off (just my observations)

    • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 11:50
      +3

      Given it's free travel at that time of the morning there wouldn't be a need to have the gates closed. I would swipe off though as the system might still charge you the default fare next time you touch on (it won't have known you got off before 7:15 otherwise).

      For people who observe others not touching off at stations or touching on on trams, before assuming otherwise, keep in mind that many have long term passes (ie, prepaid for travel).

    • Future Kids on 21/01/2014 - 12:57

      Wow, that's a big savings when one see it in a year…

  • giventofly on 21/01/2014 - 11:43
    +2

    I use this daily. Good post, OP. A lot of folk are unaware of this.

    • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 11:56
      +7

      No, it doesn't please don't misinform people. They will be charged full price otherwise. It does NOT apply to tram or bus (you have to pay as normal). It was introduced to try and ease the load on peak trains.

      "Early Bird train travel
      Touch on and off at train stations on Melbourne’s electrified train network before 7am on a weekday and automatically receive the free Early Bird fare" No trams. No buses.

    • keano1 on 21/01/2014 - 12:02
      +4

      Only applies to Trains. You will be charged on Trams or Buses or V-Line or you will be fined without having a ticket.

  • florachan on 21/01/2014 - 12:07

    do you still get free zone 1 + zone 2 travel on weekends if you have a zone 1 pass?

    • henrikoez on 21/01/2014 - 12:25

      nope, I got charged extra $2.42 last weekend…

  • Jesmond on 21/01/2014 - 12:17
    +2

    Sydney should do something like this to encourage early morning travellers.

    • MrLeE on 21/01/2014 - 12:53

      Wish Sydney done this exactly. Oh wait, we just got tap on tap off cards while Melbourne has had it for years now.

      Oh wait, the Opal cards only range to 7 or so stations. Yeah makes no sense.

      • danyool on 21/01/2014 - 16:23

        Have just seen Opal readers on stations on the North shore line - so it's getting here (don't think they are actually functional yet)

      • TexasVujicic on 09/01/2024 - 14:50

        To be fair, Myki was implemented so poorly and we're already moving away from it, wasting billions. it's not the worst thing NSW have done.

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 21/01/2014 - 13:02

      I got on 6am trains and they were pretty full. The system is overloaded from pretty much 7.15 onwards in sydney. Wouldn't achieve a heck of a lot. They need to fi xe system first.

    • neil aus on 22/01/2014 - 11:41
      -1

      This would be awesome in Sydney, I suspect a lot of the early starters would return home before the peak too, so a double bonus!

  • Herbse on 21/01/2014 - 12:27
    +11

    Damn. Now my nice quiet 530am train ride will be filled with tightarse ozbargainers

    • zandahar on 21/01/2014 - 12:33
      +10

      LOL Metro would apologies for the cancellation of this service due to ozbargaining

      • damoo on 21/01/2014 - 20:56
        +3

        I swear to god I heard the following announcement last year.

        "The 6.10 train to Flinders St has been delayed due to lateness "

    • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2014 - 12:39

      Dont worry tight people wont wake up before 10
      They just like the sound of such a deal, not in act though

    • cycleri3 on 21/01/2014 - 12:52

      Unlikely since most people will happily pay the $4-6 for the extra sleep.

  • Moondog on 21/01/2014 - 12:41
    +3

    It's great that you're posting this - a work colleague who moved here in 2008 and takes the train most days only found out about this last week! So there are definitely people out there that don't know.

  • zandahar on 21/01/2014 - 12:42

    Cant believe 1) they still offer this and 2) so many people dont know about it. I used to do this all the time train used to get into southern cross at 7:08 but it used to be a crapfight if you got delayed for any reason. Kicking up a stink when a train was canceled was fun too although always managed to win that argument and still travel free

  • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2014 - 12:43
    +3

    Is there any deal for NSW? prices were to the roof, now gone again to the clouds!

    public transport in Australia is very expensive, low quality, unreliable and slow

  • Maz78 on 21/01/2014 - 13:05
    +3

    The deal is old news, and great that it's free. As much of a tightarse that I am, I ain't getting into work 90 mins early to save $3~..

  • venu on 21/01/2014 - 13:16
    -4

    should belong in forums.

    • Lucky13 on 21/01/2014 - 13:44
      +2

      I wouldnt have seen it in forums. Glad you posted, thanks op

    • keano1 on 21/01/2014 - 13:46
      +5

      I don't agree that it should be in the forum, an old deal is still a good deal, especially if a lot don't know about it.

      It hasn't been posted on Ozbargain before, but you are allowed to post the same deal every 6 months so that people are aware.

  • Lucky13 on 21/01/2014 - 13:43

    Thanks, didnt know about this :)

  • coolhead on 21/01/2014 - 13:47
    +1

    from 3.50 to 6 on weekends.. its crazy…

  • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2014 - 14:20

    For Sydneysiders and visitors:

    Sunday Family Fun Day passes are $2.50 for unlimited travel on trains, buses and most ferries. Fantastic value, particularly if you want to cruise around the harbour (Watsons Bay, and under the bridge). Take one of the many night ferries to Manly purely to see the harbour lights as you return.

    • danyool on 21/01/2014 - 16:27

      That's good, but only for famalies. $2.50 per person and "The travelling group must be related and include at least one adult and one child" http://www.sydneytrains.info/tickets/which/funday

      • [Deactivated] on 21/01/2014 - 22:46
        -1

        Buy a family's worth and give the other one away. All the tickets are the same. They ask how many of each you want. Simple process. At $5 for a single or couple it's as cheap as chips.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/01/2014 - 11:07

          To the neg voter: we can debate the "honesty"/ethics of single fare/special discounts to "families" any time you're available. Should give you plenty of time to think of arguments about the ethics of inequitable offers, especially where taxpayer funds are involved. I'm a family man myself and I fail to see why singles should be discriminated against with this arrangement on public transport. Does it cost the taxpayer more to transport a single than it does an adult family man, or an orphan more than a child with a parent? Do singles take up more space or weigh more?

  • tonester on 21/01/2014 - 14:24

    Melbourne's electrified train network

    is there a non-electrified one? :)

  • mrgeckoz on 21/01/2014 - 14:42

    so theres gonna be like only 1 train per line before 7:15am weekdays?
    haha, just joking, maybe, or expecting something like cancelled, delayed, whatever.

  • cloudy on 21/01/2014 - 15:08

    isn't ironic that if ur morning train is late, by more than 15mins, ie arrives at 7.16, you not only get to work later, you also have to pay for it too.

    Good one metro

  • daydream on 21/01/2014 - 15:38
    +2

    From 2011: Passengers give free morning travel the flick
    It's not that easy to get up so early esp if you have to work till the regular end of the day. You either have to go to bed early or give up an hours sleep!
    You will grow to despise people who have late arvo meetings (esp if they are unproductive like most) and the fact that people think you always leave early (work less?) because there is no one in the office to see you do an hours work before everyone else! ;-)

    • THICKnSLOW on 23/01/2014 - 16:36

      Activate the snooze button on your alarm clock when you're on the train, so you catch up on that 5 minutes extra snooze.

  • Craze on 03/02/2014 - 00:13
    +2

    I took advantage of the free morning travel whole of last year while I was still working in the city. It's great having to save $3.58/day, got me out of bed early for a morning workout at a nearby gym before starting the work day. Don't know why people complain about having to get up earlier when you can still catch a bit of snooze on the train.

    It's a different story if you need to catch a bus to the station though, I still had to pay if I caught a bus to the train station which totally negates the benefit.

    Still a very good initiative and I have a feeling it won't last long given the increase in weekend fares and tightening of 2 hour fares.

    • daydream on 05/02/2014 - 11:47

      Not all get a seat. On my line they are all gone after my station event at that early hour. 20mins shut eye on a noisy train doesn't compare to 20mins extra quality sleep in bed for most but some seem to seem through anything. The hours people can enter and are required to be at work will be different so could be a longer day. In summary it's good to have the choice while it lasts but the value will vary per person.

    • CommuterPolluter on 09/01/2024 - 11:32

      Bit classist of them not to include busses, isn’t it?

  • hopper on 09/01/2024 - 10:53

    Thanks OP. I will no longer have a seat in train from today since the deal is posted.

    • U30004 on 09/01/2024 - 11:03

      Lol

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