From 11:59pm Tuesday 27 October, metropolitan Melbourne moves to the Third Step of the roadmap for reopening.

This means the “stay home” restrictions will no longer apply and there are no more restrictions on the reasons to leave home. However, you will still only be able to travel up to 25km from your home. The rules related to travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria still apply.

Travelling from Melbourne to regional Victoria

If you live in metropolitan Melbourne, the only reasons to travel into regional Victoria are: for permitted work and medical care and care giving.

You can only travel to regional Victoria to shop for food and essential supplies if it is your nearest location. Victoria Police is monitoring people leaving and entering Melbourne to ensure everyone is travelling for one of the permitted reasons.

Victoria Police is out in full force, with increased patrols monitoring exit and entry points to regional Victoria including train carriages, train stations and ferry terminals. A new offence carrying a fine of $4,957 may be issued to anyone from metropolitan Melbourne who is found in regional Victoria without a valid reason.

Travelling from regional Victoria to Melbourne

Regional Victoria continues in Third Step with further easing of restrictions.

Regional Victorians are not permitted to travel to metropolitan Melbourne except for work, medical care and care giving or to buy goods and services if this is the closest location to your house.  

While in metropolitan Melbourne you must comply with the metropolitan Melbourne restrictions.
We're asking everyone to play their part in keeping Victoria safe by only travelling when you have a valid reason to travel. 

Regional trains will continue to run to the normal timetable for people who need to make permitted journeys in line with the permitted reasons to travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria.

For those with a permitted reason to travel, please be aware V/Line’s Night Coach service is suspended until further notice and services are not crossing the New South Wales or South Australian borders. 

Six COVIDSafe principles apply across Victoria:

• Wear a fitted face mask when you leave home.
• Don't go to work if you feel unwell.
• Maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
• Perform good hand hygiene.
• Participate in outdoor activities (these carry less risk than indoor activities).

Please plan ahead and visit vic.gov.au/CORONAVIRUS for more information on restrictions and all the latest advice on coronavirus (COVID-19).

Frequently Asked Questions 

How can we help ensure safety on V/Line trains and coaches?

Everyone has a role to play to keep our network safe – stay home if you’re unwell, practise good hand hygiene, wear a face mask, travel outside the peak and keep your distance where you can.

We will not be limiting the number of people on board our trains and coaches because this is likely to cause crowding in other areas such as platforms and coach stops.

There are things you can do to make your trip easier:

• Plan ahead and travel outside of traditional peak hours if you can – services outside these hours are likely to have fewer people on them

• Wear a face mask

• Spread out on trains, along platforms and at coach stops where you can, and use the space available

• We recommend travelling with your own personal hand sanitiser, as well as washing your hands before and after using public transport

• Download the COVIDSafe App and have it active while you travel 

Please be patient, respectful and kind to each other and our staff – we’re all in this together. 

What extra cleaning is being done and how often?

High-touch surfaces on the network such as door handles, myki touch points and handrails are being cleaned regularly, as well as nightly deep-cleaning of our trains, coaches and stations to help keep passengers safe. This increased cleaning program will be in place for as long as necessary.

What changes have been made to ticketing?

V/Line staff and coach drivers operating V/Line branded services are unable to accept cash as a method of payment until further notice.  

Passengers still require a valid myki or paper ticket for their journey. 

Passengers are encouraged to update their Myki or purchase their tickets online at ptv.com.au, and Myki cards can be purchased and topped-up by staff at stations using credit, debit and EFTPOS. 

Paper tickets (V/Net) can also be purchased by these methods at staffed stations.

V/Line are still posting purchased online tickets as normal.

As a temporary measure, if you are unable to collect your V/Line ticket, your email confirmation printed or displayed on a smartphone or device will be accepted as your ticket for travel until further notice.

If you cannot print the confirmation, or you do not have a smartphone or device capable of displaying it, please contact the call centre on 1800 800 007

Please ensure you touch on and touch off with your myki to ensure you pay the correct fare.

Are conductors still travelling on the train?
 
Yes, conductors continue to travel on all V/Line trains to make announcements, perform essential operational tasks and provide assistance to anyone who needs help.
 
Conductors and station staff are also available to support customers at station stops with any assistance they need. Customers can wait in the Boarding Assistance Zones on all regional platforms and platforms 3A and 15A at Southern Cross Station to alert conductors that they need help with their journey.

If you do need a conductor while on your journey, please press the emergency button if available in your carriage and they will be able to assist.

Is checked luggage still available? 

No. To help slow the spread of coronavirus checked luggage will not be available on V/Line services until further notice. Passengers are still able to take their own luggage onboard services provided it meets the normal requirements for luggage on V/Line trains and coaches.
 
Are refreshments available for purchase on board?

No. Our cafe/bar service will not be open until further notice.
 
We encourage you to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages on board. Please ensure your drink containers have a secure, fastening or spill proof lid.
 
Water will still be available on all V/Line train services.