Trains: Melbourne Metro
Taking your bike on trains in metropolitan Melbourne. Bicycles can be carried for free on all metropolitan trains at all times
Public takes broad view of Minister's announcement
Scooter on the Glen Waverley line train
Minister announces bikes can be carried on all Connex metropolitan services.
15 Feb 08 The Minister today announced that bikes can be carried on all Connex services. Connex will also start to test some internal layouts that will facilitate the carriage of bikes. Bikes will have to be in the 'last' carriage in peak hour. This carriage will be marked and a code of conduct displayed for passengers.
General update on bikes and public transport
31 Jan 08 Plus summary of our meeting with the Minister Link to page
29 Jan 08 With the bikes on peak hour trains scenario now under review by the Minister for Public Transport, Lyn Kosky, Bicycle Victoria will continue talks with the Minister and the Department of Infrastructure. We believe there should be an initiative to achieve on-going integration of all types of public transport and bicycle in Victoria that will make it easy for people to combine travel and in so doing become not only more active but help to alleviate Melbourne's congestion issues and carbon emissions.
10 Jan 08 Bicycle Victoria’s overall aim is to make it easier to ride your bicycle to and from train stations. We’re also of the view that bicycles should be allowed on trains.
However, we recognise that given the current overcrowding on trains, it is unfortunately not practical to take bikes on all peak-period commuter trains. Regrettably, this will inconvenience some riders. When the overcrowding issue on trains is solved we can then approach the Public Transport Division to request that the current peak-period restrictions are lifted.
We believe that bicycles have a key role to play in reducing overcrowding on trains and congestion and our
ride to work program is a key component of our strategy.
We are also working to provide appropriate facilities for riders travelling to and from stations. One of Bicycle Victoria’s key aims in 2008 is to work with the government to improve parking solutions at railway stations. This is the most effective way to cater for the greatest number of riders who combine riding with train travel. This approach is highly successful in the Netherlands where 45% of train travellers arrive at the station by bicycle.
Riding to the station has many benefits including reducing congestion, increasing fitness and benefiting the environment. It also saves time for many commuters as they don’t have to wait for a connecting service.
The current pilot program at Eltham Station, where a secure parking cage is being installed is a vital first step in moving toward this successful model. This facility is due to be completed in March 2008. We are also working toward a second pilot at South Geelong station.
We understand some people are concerned that they are now unable to take their bikes on trains in a counter direction during peak-period. It’s important to clarify that the bans on bicycles on trains only apply when riding into the city during the morning peak period or out of the city during the afternoon peak period.
Please complete this
survey to enable Bicycle Victoria to put the views of bike riders to the Public Transport Division to continue to work toward a solution. As at 10 January 2008, 251 riders have supplied their thoughts to us this way.
Bike routes to stations & stops
Better provisions for people to cycle to public transport can increase patronage as it increases the 'catchment' of each station. This is because most people will only spend about 15-20 minutes to get to a station. By foot this is about 1km; by bike it is 3km.
Our highest priority is improved bicycle routes to public transport stations so people can ride to the station. Secure storage for bikes at stations, especially rail stations, then becomes a priority.
