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City Guide - Melbourne - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport The very efficient public transport system is called The Met (web site: www.met.vic.gov.au) and incorporates buses, trams and trains with interchangeable tickets. The Metshop, 103 Elizabeth Street, can provide further information on all forms of transport within Melbourne (tel: 131 638, Australia only). The Met was privatised in August 1999 and each bus, tram and train company uses individual names but fares are standard throughout the network. The bus network is very extensive and is operated by different private companies on varying routes (0500-2400 Monday to Saturday; 0800-2300 Sunday). Night buses are called The Nightrider Bus, and run hourly 0030-0430 on Friday and Saturday nights, starting from the corner of Swanston Street and Collins Street, and covering most of the metropolitan area. Tickets cost A$5 for each journey. The City Circle Tram is a free tram service that runs in both directions around the city centre 1000-1800 daily. Trams operate every ten minutes; the entire route takes 40 minutes and passes many of Melbourne's attractions, with commentary provided. Swanston Trams (web site: www.swanstontrams.com.au) and Yarra Trams (web site: www.yarratrams.com.au) both operate until about midnight. The main train station in Melbourne for suburban routes is Flinders Street station. Two rail companies covering suburban Melbourne are Hillside Trains (web site: www.hillsidetrains.com.au) and Bayside Trains (web site: www.baysidetrains.com.au). Metcard tickets allow travel on Melbourne's buses, trains and trams using a single ticket. These can be bought at retail outlets showing the Metcard flag and at station booking offices, ticket vending machines on tram and rail stations, or by calling the Metcard helpline (tel: (1800) 652 313) if paying by credit card. Ordinary tickets for short journeys (zone 1) cost A$2.30 and are valid for two hours; an all-day travelcard is better value for a number of journeys and costs A$4.40. Weekly passes cost A$19.10 and are ideal for a longer stay in Melbourne. Higher rates apply for zones 2 and 3. Taxis Taxis can be hired on the street or found waiting at train and bus stations; although they tend to be expensive. Operators include Arrow (tel: 132 211, Australia only); Black Cabs (tel: 132 227, Australia only) and Embassy (tel: 131 755, Australia only). Limousines Lygon Limousines (tel: (03) 97 73 27 88; web site: www.lygonlimos.com.au) have chauffeur-driven cars for hire at A$60 per hour or stretch limousines at A$120 per hour. Their chauffeurs can act as guides as well and can provide detailed information for their clients. Driving in the City Driving around Melbourne is fairly straightforward as many roads are wide with two or three lanes, but care has to be taken where there are tram routes. Special road rules exist - cars can only overtake trams on the left and must queue on the left in order to turn right at intersections marked by Safety Zone signs in order to accommodate the trams. There are numerous car parks and parking meters all over the city. Cars parked illegally in no parking zones are towed away. Car Hire The minimum age for car hire is 21 years, drivers must possess a national driving license at least one year old and it is usually requested that the hire is paid for with the driver's credit card. Young drivers aged 21-24 years are subject to a surcharge of A$15 per day. Major car hire companies include Avis (tel: (03) 96 63 63 66) and Hertz (tel: 133 039, Australia only). Bicycle Hire Bicycles can be hired from Hire A Bicycle located at Yarra Bank by Princes Bridge (tel: (03) 19 42 90 00). Prices start at A$8 for one hour. |