Bicycle Network Victoria: Where to Ride

Transporter Trial now complete

29 April 2010 The Train Transporter program, conducted in conjunction with the Victorian Department of Transport, has completed its six week trial period.

Response to the trial has been enthusiastic, and increasing numbers of riders booking their bikes on the services as word spread – both Trail transporters were full over ANZAC Day weekend!

Here are a few comments from the people who used the Trail Transporters:

• 'I think that the Trail Transporters scheme is a wonderful idea, particularly in the South Gippsland area which is not serviced by any trains, and I do hope that it can be offered again in the future.'
• 'Just a short note to say l enjoyed the Leongatha-Foster rail trail, the transporter driver was fantastic, he was always on time, friendly, helpful with tips & guidance to track conditions, towns along the way etc.'
• 'An excellent idea and definitely worth promoting.'

All participants of the Trail Transporter service are invited to complete a post-event survey here. Answers will guide changes to any forthcoming service.

All respondents of the Trail Transporter Users’ Survey will be entered into a draw to win a copy of Rail Trails of Victoria and South Australia and a Kryptonite K4 Plus bicycle lock. Terms & conditions can be viewed here.

The Trail Transporter: A trial initiative for bike transport on the Ballarat line

12 March 2010 Bicycle Network Victoria and the Department of Transport are pleased to announce a trial bike transport service that will carry coach and train passengers’ bikes to and from a select number of rail trails from 19 March to 26 April.

Run by Bicycle Network Victoria, the Trail Transporter is a trial initiative. Passengers will be able to load their bikes onto a special bike trailer that will operate in conjunction with selected V/Line train and coach services. Bicycle Network Victoria is managing this trial for the Victorian Government. The service is free.

• The Trail Transporter trial will run from Friday 19 March until Monday 26 April 2010.
• The Trail Transporter is available to all passengers wanting to travel with their bike, and this service is free. (As part of the usual train and coach fare.)
• Passengers must ensure that they get their bikes loaded onto the Trail Transporter so it can leave 15 minutes before the V/Line service is due to depart.
• See below for details about how to book your bike on the Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter.
• For information and bookings for the Melbourne–Leongatha/Menniyan Trail Transporter, which will run in conjunction with V/Line's corresponding coach services, click here.

The Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter

The Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter will run through to the end of autumn, to provide riders with opportunities to explore the Ballarat area, which is perfect for weekend excursions, and to test the feasibility and efficiency of a bike-specific transport service. Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter trial (Friday 19 March until Monday 26 April 2010).

The Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter will enable riders to travel to Ballarat on a Friday evening, ride the Ballarat–Skipton rail trail over the weekend, and then return to Melbourne on the Sunday evening. The Trail Transporter will run at different times on public holidays.

The Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter is operated by Ballarat Coachlines, and will run in conjunction with corresponding train services operated by V/Line. V/Line advises passengers to book their place on these services so they can arrive at their destination with their bikes.

• The Trail Transporter will run alongside the V/Line services that depart from Southern Cross Station at 6.25pm on Fridays and from Ballarat Station at 4.12pm on Sundays.
• V/Line passengers travelling to Ballarat can load their bikes onto the Trail Transporter in the coach loading area at Southern Cross Station between 5.25pm and 6.10pm. (Look for a car with a bike-specific trailer.)
• V/Line passengers returning to Melbourne on the Sunday can load their bikes onto the Trail Transporter in the coach loading area at Ballarat Station between 3.15pm and 4pm.
• The Trail Transporter will meet the train at its destination so riders can collect their bikes from trailer.
• On Easter weekend the Trail Transporter will operate alongside train services that leave Southern Cross at 8.25am on Good Friday, and Ballarat Station at 5.07pm on Easter Monday. (Riders can load their bikes between 7.30am and 8.10am on Good Friday, and 4.15pm and 5pm on Easter Monday.)
• On ANZAC Day, the Trail Transporter will run with the V/Line service that departs from Ballarat Station at 4.12pm on Monday 26 April. (Riders can load their bikes between 3.15pm and 4pm.)

Dates

The Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter trial will run on the following weekends:

1. Friday 19 – Sunday 21 March
2. Friday 26 – Sunday 28 March
3. Friday 2 – Monday 5 April (Easter weekend)
4. Friday 9 – Sunday 11 April
5. Friday 16 – Sunday 18 April
6. Friday 23 – Monday 26 April (ANZAC Day)

Times

Melbourne to Ballarat: departing from Bay 72 at Southern Cross Station (at the Coaches and Airport Shuttles Terminal, off the Spencer and Bourke St entrance)

• at 6.25pm on Fridays (except on public holidays), loading bikes between 5.25pm and 6.10pm
• at 8.25am on Good Friday, loading bikes between 7.30am and 8.10am

Ballarat to Melbourne: departing from Ballarat Station

• at 4.12pm on Sundays (except on public holidays), loading bikes between 3.15pm and 4pm
• at 5.07pm on Easter Monday, loading bikes between 4.15pm and 5pm
• at 4.12pm on ANZAC Day, loading bikes between 3.15pm and 4pm

Bookings

To book your bike on the Melbourne–Ballarat Trail Transporter, click on this link.

• (If you have any difficulties with the booking site, please email Mark Dixon with your name, phone number, the dates and destination and the number of bikes you want to load onto the Trail Transporter. Mark's email address is markd@bv.com.au)

To book a passenger fare on the corresponding V/Line train service, click here.

Bikes on V/Line trains

4 March 2010 Currently passengers may carry bikes on all V/Line trains, subject to space availability.

There is storage space for bikes on all locomotive-hauled services, but on the Sprinter and VLocity trains, this space is limited. So if you want to carry your bike on the Traralgon–Bairnsdale, Seymour–Albury (when this service resumes), Bendigo–Swan Hill or Geelong–Warrnambool lines, we suggest you look for a service that has a First Class carriage because these carriages have more space for luggage. First Class carriages are indicated by a star on V/Line timetables.

Locomotive-hauled services run at least two times a day on all V/Line train lines except the Ballarat line.