New off-peak train, tram servcies to help social distancing on public transport network
Scores of extra services will be added to Melbourne’s public transport timetable to allow the network to facilitate social distancing as the coronavirus crisis continues.
VIC News
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Scores of extra services will be added to the public transport timetable to cater for social distancing, with 95 weekly train trips to be added to the network.
From Monday, an extra 10 weekly services will be added each to the Sunbury, Craigieburn, Werribee, Mernda, Dandenong, Ringwood and Glen Waverley lines.
Another five trips will be also added to Hurstbridge Line.
The new services will be scheduled in the hours before and after Melbourne’s peak periods in a bid to encourage commuters to spread their travel throughout the day.
Another 10 weekly train services will be added to both the Frankston and Sandringham lines from July 27 when level crossing works are finished.
Yarra Trams will provide two additional shuttle routes along Collins St in Melbourne’s CBD to reduce the risk of overcrowding along the busy corridor.
To allow for this, Route 30 will be replace with Route 12 and diverted to La Trobe St.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the changes would add hundreds of services to the weekly timetable.
“Giving Victorians the options to travel outside of the traditional peak hours and practice better physical distancing, keeping us all safer,” he said.
“We’re grateful to our frontline public transport staff for keeping Victoria moving during the pandemic – these changes will keep them safer as they do their essential work.”
The Department of Transport will also ensure cash payments are permanently removed from buses on July 13, with Myki the only method available.
Over the next 18 months, upgrades will be rolled out to ensure that Victorians can choose to board buses from both front and rear doors rather than being restricted to those closest to the driver.
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