Melbourne's Night Network from 1 Jan 2016

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Melbourne's Night Network

>> http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/



Trains



Night Trains will run hourly all night on weekends on all lines, except Stony Point and Flemington Racecourse lines.

Trams



Night Trams will run all night on weekends every 30 minutes on six key routes – Routes 19, 67, 75, 86, 96, 109 – providing services to St Kilda, Coburg, Bundoora, Port Melbourne, Carnegie, Box Hill, Vermont South and Brunswick, as well as within the CBD.

Buses



The Night Bus network will be revamped and improved. The new network will include 21 Night Bus routes – with half of these routes departing from the CBD, and the other half departing from suburban train stations, connecting with trains from the city.

The new Night Bus network will replace the existing NightRider service.

Coaches



V/Line Night Coaches will provide a new late night service to regional centres, departing from Southern Cross Station around 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. Night Coaches will travel to the major regional centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Geelong.

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-public-transport-night-network-unveiled

New Public Transport Night Network Unveiled

Friday 30 October 2015

Minister for Public Transport

The Andrews Labor Government has released new details of its one year trial of all-night public transport on weekends.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today unveiled the much anticipated bus routes for the critical safety initiative, alongside a new name for the trial: Night Network.

The Night Bus network includes 21 bus routes, with 10 departing from the CBD around every half an hour, and 11 departing from suburban train stations including Dandenong, Elsternwick, and Frankston every hour.

Night Coach services will also operate to the major regional centres of Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Traralgon.

On top of the bus services announced today, Night Network will add 300 train services and 250 tram services each weekend.

Night Network will mean over 70 per cent of Melburnians will have an all-night public transport option within one kilometre of their home.

Detailed service information will be provided well ahead of the commencement of the trial on 1 January 2016.

For more information on the Night Network, visit ptv.vic.gov.au/nightnetwork or call 1800 800 007 (6am- midnight) daily.

Quotes to be attributed to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Night Network will allow people to enjoy a night out or get to work, and get home again safe and sound."

"Buses and coaches will be a critical part of the trial, and will bolster the hundreds of train and tram services Night Network will deliver."

"Night Network will bring our city to life, allowing locals and visitors to enjoy the world's most liveable city for longer, every weekend."

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Twitter

Robert Doyle ‏@LordMayorMelb 1h

Launching #NightNetwork with @JacintaAllanMP. From 1 Jan, #NightTrain services will operate all night on Fri & Sat.

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Melbourne Age --> All-night weekend public transport kicks off at New Year's with new name

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Daniel Bowen --> A quick look at PTV's Night Network

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Melbourne Age --> All night public transport - "will not be a system for drunks" police warn

Police, welfare workers and city officials are preparing for an unprecedented surge in CBD late night crowds with some believing Melbourne's after dark culture will permanently change when the all night public transport system begins next week.

City planners want a New York style mix of entertainment options to encourage a diversity of visitors.

Major retailers, restaurants, music venues, theatres, art galleries and cinemas will be encouraged to open into the early hours with the Melbourne City Council considering an Elizabeth St night market near Flinders St.

"We want to activate the city," Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told Fairfax Media.

He said special events such as the Comedy Festival will be asked to stage 1am shows and university campuses could be used for early morning events.

While police believe the public transport initiative will help alleviate the traditional "dark hours" of violence between last and first trains they are planning to deter a potential flood of post midnight drunks using the system to head into the city.

Extra transit police will ride the late trains with more than 100 Protective Service Officers assigned to 78 major suburban stations to deal with the expected influx from January 1.

The 12 month Night Network trial includes 24 hour train, tram and buses plus a 2am coach service to major regional centres.

While the $50 million weekend service is designed to deal with the ugly bottle neck of revellers caught in the city after the last trains leave Melbourne police are concerned the alcohol and drug impaired will now head into the city in the early hours.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane​ (North West Metro) said police were determined to ensure, "This is not a transport system for drunks."

He said Transit Police and PSOs will screen passengers at major stations and again at Flinders St to block the alcohol or drug affected.

"There needs to be public confidence that the system is safe. We will not be sitting on our hands. We will be there to meet and greet."

He said police will need to manage people onto public transport, make sure the journey is safe and allow patrons to head home from stations without incident.

"This will be a challenge for all of us."

He said the 24 hour system would help curtail the violence around Flinders St where for years bored, drunk, drugged, frustrated and the mentally disturbed have congregated for hours waiting for the trains to begin running. "It has been a little like opposing forces bouncing around inside a bottle."

He said police had called for the 24 hour system for 10 years believing it will "solve many of our problems." ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/mayor-robert-doyle-promises-to-activate-melbourne-as-city-switches-on-24-hours-20151224-glum33.html

[#Metro]

City planners want a New York style mix of entertainment options to encourage a diversity of visitors.

Major retailers, restaurants, music venues, theatres, art galleries and cinemas will be encouraged to open into the early hours with the Melbourne City Council considering an Elizabeth St night market near Flinders St.

"We want to activate the city," Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told Fairfax Media.

Ahahaa. Brisbane will be asleep. In bed by 6pm!!

[ozbob]

Early to bed, early to rise, makes you healthy wealthy and wise ... huh?   

Meanwhile ...

Melbourne Age --> 24-hour public transport begins as Flagstaff opens on weekends

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Daniel Bowen --> Night Network begins with fireworks

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/night-network-helping-shift-workers-to-get-home/

Deputy Premier of Victoria Statement

Night Network Helping Shift Workers To Get Home

17 January 2017

The Andrews Labor Government's trial of all night public transport is helping Melbourne's shift workers get home safer and sooner.

Acting Premier James Merlino visited Crown Melbourne today. Crown is the city's biggest single-site employer with more than 9,400 people employed on site, many of whom leave work well after midnight.

For many people who work late for a living, getting home used to be difficult and expensive. Now there are trains, trams and buses running all night, getting people back home from work for a fraction of the cost of a cab.

Night Network provides 300 train and 250 tram services each weekend, supported by 21 new bus routes departing from the city and suburban train stations across Melbourne.

New figures show the number of people using Night Network has increased by 50 per cent in its second week of operation. More than 15,000 people used night trams, trains and buses last weekend, up from around 10,000 on the first weekend.

These numbers are expected to increase further as Victorians become more aware of the new services on offer to enjoy a night out or get home from work.

Patronage data will form part of future considerations for late-night public transport beyond the Night Network trial, along with passenger and community feedback.

People are encouraged to provide their feedback on Night Network services at ptv.vic.gov.au/getinvolved.

Quotes attributable to Acting Premier James Merlino

"For people who work late for a living, like those in essential services and hospitality, Night Network makes getting home safer, cheaper and easier."

"More than 5,000 extra people used Night Network last weekend – a 50 per cent increase – and we expect that number to grow as people become more aware of the hundreds of extra services on offer."

"The Andrews Labor Government is delivering all night public transport so people can enjoy the world's most liveable city for longer and get home safer and sooner, every weekend."

Quotes attributable to Alicia Gleeson, Executive General Manager – Human Resources Crown Melbourne

"Crown Melbourne is one of the city's most visited tourism destinations and provides employment for more than 9,400 people, with a significant number of employees completing their shift in the early hours of the morning"

"The Night Network will provide an affordable option for our employees and customers to get home safely on weekends"

[ozbob]

When I was in Melbourne I boarded the 1.18am outbound rail service at Caulfield, early on the Saturday morning (9th Jan).

Train was full of passengers, estimate around 700 pax.

[verbatim9]

Trains get good patronage down there.

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Melbourne Age --> Late-night party people take up trains, trams and buses over taxis

Late-night revellers are increasingly using trams, trains and buses to get home from a big night out rather than catching cabs or slogging their way home on foot.

Patronage on the Andrews government's Night Network – offering all-night hourly trains in and out of the city on most lines, half-hourly trams on six major lines, extra bus services and a 2am coach service to regional cities – has been steadily growing since a trial started in January.

So much so that trains have now overtaken walking as the most common method of getting home, with taxi use and driving also waning ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/latenight-revellers-turning-to-trains-trams-and-buses-over-taxis-20160619-gpmnmv.html#ixzz4C2vd4PB7

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/all-night-public-transport-extended-for-six-months/

Media release  Premier

All Night Public Transport Extended For Six Months

The Andrews Labor Government's hugely popular trial of all night public transport on weekends has been extended until June next year.

Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan to announce a six month extension to Victoria's Night Network of trains, trams, buses and regional coaches.

All night public transport will continue to run through Summer and Autumn, ensuring people out for the night or working late continue to have access to public transport on Friday and Saturday nights.

It will allow services to be assessed over a full 12 month period and help organisers plan for the massive line up of events between January and June, including the Australian Open, Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Comedy Festival.

It will also ensure all night public transport is on offer for the start of next year's footy season, so fans who have kicked on after the game can get home safer and sooner.

To promote Night Network services on offer in the lead up to footy finals, a glow-in-the-dark mural will be on display for Friday night's clash at the MCG, and Saturday's match at Etihad Stadium.

An average of 35,000 people use Night Network to get home safer and sooner every weekend – and more than 20 per cent of passengers are shift-workers, in hospitality, essential services or other industries operating overnight.

These workers previously had no choice but to drive or catch a cab home, or wait around for the first service in the morning.  Now they can jump on one of 300 overnight train services, 250 tram services or around 500 bus and coach services to get home when their shift ends.

For timetables and more information, visit http://ptv.vic.gov.au/night-network.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"People will be able to enjoy the world's most liveable city for longer this summer, and shift workers will continue to have access to the trains, trams and buses they need to get home."

"Whether you're kicking on after the footy, heading out for a show or working late on the weekend, Night Network is there to get you home safer and sooner."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport, Jacinta Allan

"We're the only state in the country that offers all night public transport on weekends, and one of only two cities in the world to offer all night transport across trains, trams and buses."

"The six-month extension will give us a chance to properly assess the trial over a full year, and give certainty to event organisers and passengers in the lead up to the new year."

Quotes attributable to AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan

"We encourage our fans to make use of these extended public transport services until Grand Final Day."

"The services are great not only for our matches, but also for our AFL live site activity which will be situated again in Yarra Park in Grand Final week."

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Trial of all-night public transport extended #springst https://t.co/YOQiOGupnO

— The Age (@theage) August 2, 2016

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/all-night-public-transport-on-weekends-here-to-stay/

All Night Public Transport On Weekends Here To Stay

Minister for Public Transport 22 April 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will make all night public transport on weekends a permanent feature of the world's most liveable city.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined hospitality and healthcare workers today to announce $193.2 million over the next four years to make Night Network permanent.

The landmark Night Network trial, a key election commitment of the Labor Government, was due to end 30 June 2017.

The Victorian Budget 2017/18 provides funding to continue delivering this safe, affordable and convenient service for people out for the night or working late.

More than two million trips have been taken on overnight trains, trams, buses and regional coaches since the Labor Government introduced Night Network at the start of last year.

More than 20 per cent of the people using Night Network are shift workers, getting home after a night serving drinks, staffing our hospitals or keeping us safe.

The rest are locals and visitors staying out later and enjoying Melbourne's vibrant night life for longer.

Melbourne prides itself on being a 24-hour city. It's the only city in Australia that people from around the world can flock to and experience culture, sport, and nightlife – and get home on public transport – around the clock.

Night Network passenger feedback and movement patterns are currently being collated and analysed by Public Transport Victoria. This assessment will be considered over the coming months to improve services after 30 June.

Until then, all night trains, trams, buses and regional coaches will continue to run as they are now. For more information, visit ptv.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"The best cities in the world don't stop when the sun goes down – and neither does Melbourne."

"Night Network is part of what keeps Melbourne the world's most liveable city, and it's here to stay."

"It provides a safe, easy and affordable way to get home – whether you're out for the night or work late for a living. Thousands of people now rely on Night Network and it's not going anywhere."

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Melbourne Age --> All-night public transport to keep Melbourne on the move

Good news for shift workers, night clubbers and insomniacs: 24-hour weekend public transport is here to stay.

The Andrews government has announced that a trial of all-night public transport has been so popular the service will become permanent, costing $193 million over the next four years.

"The best cities in the world don't stop when the sun goes down – and neither does Melbourne," Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said on Saturday.

The Night Network trial, one of Labor's key commitments ahead of the 2014 state election, had been due to end on June 30.

Since its inception at the start of last year, more than two million trips have been taken on the service, which provides trains running every hour from Flinders Street on all metropolitan lines, and trams and buses running every 30 minutes on key routes.

Buses also leave Southern Cross station at 2:00am, bound for Bendigo, Ballarat, Traralgon, Seymour and Geelong.

The government's figures show that 20 per cent of the people using Night Network are shift workers. The rest are locals and visitors making the most of Melbourne's booming night life.

But while the all-night weekend transport trial has been successful, it was revealed last year that the need for extra security saw its original budget blow out from $50 million to $86.3 million.

The trial was extended for six months to assess how commuters used all-night services in different seasons and during major events, including the Spring Racing Carnival, football finals and the festive season.

Passenger feedback and movement patterns are now being analysed by Public Transport Victoria to improve the service beyond June 30.

Making the announcement with hospitality and healthcare workers on Saturday morning, Ms Allan said the Night Network would continue to provide safe, easy and affordable ways to get home.

"Night Network is part of what keeps Melbourne the world's most liveable city, and it's here to stay," she said.

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All night public transport on weekends is here to stay. https://t.co/H3rHhEACTC pic.twitter.com/u1bXqdY4xK

— PTV (@ptv_official) April 22, 2017