Transport in Melbourne
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Contents |
[edit] Public transport
Melbourne's public transport | |||
---|---|---|---|
Metlink | Metcard | myki | |
Modes of Transport | |||
Trains | Trams | Buses | |
Transport Routes | |||
Railway stations | Tram routes | Bus routes | |
Operating Companies | |||
V/Line | Connex Melbourne | Yarra Trams |
Melbourne is served with a robust public transportation network. It has one of the world's most extensive tram networks, almost 300 bus routes and a train system with more than 15 lines. Unlike many major cities in the world, Melbourne has an integrated public transport system. With Metcard, users can buy one ticket and are able to use it on bus, train and tram services for a specified time period. Today, the city's public transport networks are run by private operators under franchises from the State Government.
[edit] Tram
The city of Melbourne, the second-largest city in Australia, is home to the third largest tram network in the world, consisting of 245 kilometres of track, 500 trams, and 1770 tram stops. Operated by the private company Yarra Trams since privatization in 1999, Melbourne's trams contribute greatly to the city's distinctive character and are held in great affection by the people of Melbourne.
Melbourne's current tram network began with the introduction of cable trams in 1885 and then electric trams in 1906. The tram network now provides extensive coverage of most inner suburbs with several routes extending into the middle suburbs.
[edit] Local rail transport
The train network is run by Connex Melbourne. There are currently 16 suburban railway lines, as well as sections of several lines part of the V/Line network which fall into the metropolitan area covered by the Metcard ticketing system. With the exception of the Stony Point line and the greater metropolitan lines served by V/Line, the rest of the suburban railway network is electrified and services are operated by a fleet of 326 EMU trains.
Although services are frequent except for at some outer reaches of the network in off-peak periods, the railway network has been criticised as lacking in capacity. This is caused by a lack of infrastructure capacity in some areas of the network which has put limitations on the frequency of services and has resulted in trains becoming crowded during peak periods. A lack of investment in the railway network has also meant that several suburbs lack a railway line and those that do often suffer from long journey times caused by the absence of additional tracks to facilitate express running.
- See also: List of Melbourne railway stations
Link to Google Earth Map of Melbourne's Metropolitan railway system, current and deceased lines
[edit] Bus
The bus network is run by several bus companies under a franchise from the State Government. There are approximately 300 routes in operation with a varying range of service frequencies. Melbourne's bus network generally exists to provide feeder services to the rail network as well as provide connections to activity centres such as shopping centres and universities. There are also several SmartBus routes which are intended to form an orbital network, allowing for cross-city travel without requiring passengers to travel to the city to change services.
The bus network has received criticism for being infrequent and unable to serve the needs of passengers. These problems mainly existed for historical reasons, since most of Melbourne's bus routes were devised before the introduction of trading on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Previous management of the network did not provide for improvements to services as population increased and resulted in poor frequency and operating hours. This has been recognised by the government and a project has begun to progressively upgrade 250 of Melbourne's routes to a specified minimum service standard.
- See also: List of Melbourne bus routes and List of bus companies#Victoria
[edit] Taxi
Taxis in Melbourne are required to carry a canary yellow livery. Taxi licenses are valued at around $300,000.
[edit] Airports
Melbourne Airport (Melbourne Tullamarine) is the nation's second busiest, and the state's largest. Over 30 airlines and 22 million international and domestic passengers are served and service there each year. It's located in the north-western suburb of Tullamarine.
Melbourne's second biggest passenger airport, Avalon Airport (Melbourne Avalon), is south-west of Melbourne, just east of Geelong.
Melbourne's first major airport, Essendon Airport, is no longer used for scheduled international flights, though a small number of scheduled domestic flights operate from there. The airport is also home to the state's Air Ambulance service and services private aviators.
Moorabbin Airport is located to the south of Melbourne, and is primarily used for recreation flying and for flying lessons, conducted in Piper and Cessna aircraft. Moorabbin is also used for a small number of scheduled passenger services, most notably to King Island. Moorabbin is a GAAP airport and its code is YMMB.
Airbase RAAF Point Cook, where the Australian Air Force originated, is located near the city's southwestern limits.
[edit] Road
- See also: List of Melbourne highways, List of Melbourne freeways, and List of old road routes in Melbourne, Victoria
A controversial current project is the building of the Mitcham to Frankston Freeway, or EastLink as it is now officially known. At a cost of $2.5 billion the 40 km freeway is currently being built through the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, including a tunnel section. At the heart of the controversy is that the freeway is set to become a tollway, despite election promises from both Steve Bracks, the current Victorian Premier, and (recently ex)-opposition leader Robert Doyle that the freeway would be toll free.
[edit] Long distance rail transport
Melbourne is the centre of a state-wide railway network, consisting of various lines used for freight and passenger services. Passenger services are operated by V/Line and a fleet of locomotive hauled trains, railcars and DMUs. There are seven passenger railway lines connecting Melbourne to various towns and cities in Victoria. The centre of the regional passenger railway network is Southern Cross Station located in the Melbourne CBD.
The regional rail network is also used to transport freight around the state, and Melbourne is connected to Adelaide and Sydney as part of the interstate railway network. Passenger services exist to both cities but due to the dominance of airlines, the routes are mainly used to transport freight.
[edit] Sea
The Port of Melbourne is Australia's largest container and general cargo port. Regular shipping lines operate to around 300 cities around the world and 3200 ships visit the port each year. The Port of Melbourne is located in the inner west of Melbourne, near the junction of the Maribyrnong and Yarra rivers.
Station Pier in Port Phillip Bay handles cruise ships and the Spirit of Tasmania ferries which cross Bass Strait to Tasmania.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Public Transport in Melbourne, Australia (RailPage Australia)
- Metlink Melbourne