Coaches - regional services Victoria

 

Private shuttles

We are investigating whether a system of private trail shuttle buses can be developed to support trail use by riders.

Riders who regularly take their bike on public transport coach services or ride recreationally in regional Victoria could consider a folding bike. Folding bikes are effective transport over short distances. Riders report that models such as the Birdie are also satisfactory for touring on bitumen roads. The small wheels on folding bikes make them less satisfactory for unsealed rail trails however.

Meeting with Minister Kosky

March 09

 

At a meeting with Minister Kosky we raised the issue of bikes on VLine coaches.

We raised the following issues:

• VLine coaches form a significant part of the public transport system in Victoria in regional areas. Riders travelling to Mildura for example can go part of the way by train but have to complete the journey by coach. Track work on the Albury line will mean that coaches replace trains for a significant period.
• Riders would like to get to rail trails and other recreational riding destinations around Victoria by public transport. This allows the rider to take a one way trip. Some of the trail heads such as Wangaratta and Bairnsdale are served by rail. Other trail heads such as Bright and Orbost are only served by coaches.
• Riders would like to be able to catch public transport part way along a trail or recreational route. It is possible for example to catch the train to Warrnambool and ride the Ocean Road back to the Geelong station. However if for any reason the rider wishes to cut short that trip and catch a bus from Apollo Bay for example, they have to catch a coach.
  
  We said that the recent change to the rule that removed the driver’s discretion to take a bicycle was a significant disadvantage to bike riders as it cut them out of the coach section of the public transport system. The Minister agreed to consider our comments and investigate the situation to see if it could be improved.
  
  Despite the Minister’s assurances, we are not optimistic that this situation can be remedied quickly or easily. We will continue to raise the situation with the Minister and see if we can develop alternatives for riders wanting to ride trails and country roads in regional Victoria.

Coach line agrees to bikes on temporary Seymour/Wangaratta/Wodonga route

20 November 2008. Riders on the Murray to Mountains and High Country Rail Trails will still be able to take their bikes from Melbourne when buses replace trains for the 18 month track rebuild.

V/Line trains to Wangaratta and Wodonga have been replaced by buses for the conversion to standard gauge tracks. 

Wangaratta Coachlines has agreed to take bikes on their buses when possible, according to owner Don Joyce.

Mr Joyce said that if the traveller was taking the train to Seymour, his company would most likely be able to take the bike on to Albury or Wangaratta. Possible exceptions were Easter and long weekends

He asked that anyone wanting to travel with their bike contact Wangaratta Coachlines directly. Their phone number is (03) 5722 1843. 

Mr. Joyce's statement is welcome news, as V/line had recently indicated that bikes would not be allowed on V/line coaches.

This policy threatens the growth of the increasingly popular rail trail tourism.

 

The 2009 rules

November 08 In April 2009 V/Line coaches will issue their new rules. In the lead up to the publication of these rules we will make representation to the Minister for Public Transport to allow bikes to be carried on V/Line Coaches. We will impress on the Minister the damage that their current policy could do to rail trail tourism and the inconvenience it causes riders who want to combine a rail journey and a coach trip such as from Melbourne to Mildura or to Orbost. 

No bikes

May 2008 V/Line have said to us that they have made the 'no bicycles' rule explicit. Previously some drivers exercised discretion and allowed riders to put their bikes on the coach. 

No change

15 Feb 08. The Ministers statement today did not include any changes to the rules for taking bikes on coaches.

 

31Jan08 General update on bikes and public transport Plus summary of our meeting with the Minister  Link to page

 

What we are asking for

2009 rules

 

'V/Line coaches do not carry bicycles, surfboards, surf skis, sailboards, canoes and similar items (exception: see Folding Bicycles, below.)

There is an exception for coach services along coastal routes where surfboards and boogie boards may be carried, subject to available space on the day of travel.

Passengers are reminded that this applies to both the forward and return legs of the journey.'

Folding Bicycles

Folding bicycles can be carried free on V/Line trains and coaches.
Folding bicycles must not exceed the dimensions of 82cm long x 69cm high x 39cm wide, have wheel rims no more than 20 inches (51 cm) in diameter and be folded up and stored inside a bag or cover before boarding.

A folding bicycle has small wheels and frame latches allowing the frame to be collapsed. Regular bicycles of any size, with or without wheels, are not considered folding bicycles and are subject to the conditions above regarding carriage of bicycles on V/Line.

Note: Folding bicycles cannot be stored in overhead luggage racks.

VLine webpage

Our webpage on folding bikes

 

2007 Rules

Generally, V/Line coaches do not carry bicycles, surfboards, surf skis, sailboards, canoes and similar items.

There is an exception for coach services along coastal routes where surfboards and boogie boards may be carried subject to available space on the day of travel.

Passengers are to be aware that this applies to both the forward and return legs of the journey.

Call 136 196 for further information.

 

Our view

 

We will be working to change these rules as, in our opinion, they don't work for bike riders.

They don't give riders enough certainty to plan a holiday with their bike. Some bike riding locations such as Orbost at the end of the East Gipplsand Rail Trail are only served by coaches. We think a booking system and other measures will help both the operators and bike riding passengers.