VICTORIANS now have 450 extra train services each week, including 280 metropolitan and 170 regional services, as well as access to a new online tool – RideSpace.
The new initiative by the State Government will help travellers gain information about how busy or quiet their journey will be before they get on board trains, helping people stay safe as the state begins recovering from COVID-19.
After four months of tests and trials, RideSpace is available at ridespace.coronavirus.vic.gov.au and will soon be made available via a mobile application.
The program provides real-time information for passengers on metropolitan trains, including the current and predicted levels of busyness for trains, stations and platforms using icons ranging from ‘very quiet’ to ‘very busy’.
The new online tool will go hand-in-hand with a timetable boost on the PTV website, which will provide a 30 per cent fare discount for metropolitan travellers on trains outside of peak periods.
The discount will be in place for the next three months, automatically providing a discount on myki cards for passengers touching off between 9.30am and 4pm, or after 7pm on weekdays.
“RideSpace puts the information Victorians need to make smart travel choices directly into the palm of their hands. It’s innovative technology that will make COVID-Normal travel safe and easy,” Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll said.
“This is the biggest timetable change since the opening of the City Loop, and the extra services give passengers in Melbourne and regional Victoria more options to get them where they need to go.”