Free travel

Published: Fri 10 Jul 2026

V/Line passengers will travel free on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July

Travel will be free for V/Line passengers on Monday 13 July and Tuesday 14 July, following the disruption caused by the Telstra outage.
 
Passengers will not need to tap on with their myki or use contactless payment on these days.
 
Passengers with connecting onward travel beyond the V/Line network – such as on a Metropolitan train, tram or bus – will need to use a Free Travel Voucher as proof of travel on the V/Line network.
 
Conductors on board trains will carry vouchers and they will also be available at the ticket offices at some staffed stations and at Southern Cross Station.

Who is eligible for free travel?

To be eligible for free travel, you must start your journey within Victoria on a V/Line train or use a bus or V/Line coach to connect with a V/Line train

Passengers travelling solely within the metropolitan area from Pakenham or Sunbury on V/Line services are not eligible.

Free travel also applies to the customer's return journey on the same day or any onward travel on other transport modes such as Metropolitan train, local bus or tram.

Does everyone need a free travel voucher to travel?

No, if you are travelling on the myki or contactless-enabled V/Line network you can simply not tap on or off.

If you are travelling on a long-distance train or scheduled coach service, you will need to book a free V/Line ticket from station staff, retail agents or by calling 1800 800 007.
 
You only need a free travel voucher if you are connecting to an onward journey with another operator or exiting the myki gates at a Metropolitan Station (e.g. the gates for Platforms 9-16 at Southern Cross Station).
 
Where can I get a free travel voucher?
 
Vouchers will be available from the conductor on board the train (on Monday and Tuesday) and from some staffed V/Line stations. Vouchers will be dated for travel on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July.
 
What is the free travel voucher?
 
The V/Line Free Travel Voucher is a printed voucher that enables onwards free travel for passengers connecting with metropolitan or local bus services following travel on a V/Line service on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July.
 
The voucher can also be used as evidence of V/Line travel when exiting Metro Trains managed ticketing gates such as the gates at Platforms 9-16 at Southern Cross Station.
 
Passengers can travel for free all day on both Monday and Tuesday, including onward journeys on trains, trams, buses, V/Line coaches, and for your same day return trip. 
 
The voucher is not transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash or to myki money/myki pass. It is only valid for the dates printed on it and lost, stolen or damaged vouchers will not be replaced.
 
What about if I’m travelling on a long-distance train or scheduled coach?
 
If you are travelling on the Warrnambool, Ararat, Maryborough, Echuca, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Albury or Bairnsdale train lines or on a scheduled coach service, you can book a free V/Line ticket online, from station staff, retail agents or over the phone.
 
Note that online bookings for free travel on 13 and 14 July will be available from Saturday 11 July.
 
I’ve already purchased a ticket to travel on 13 or 14 July, can I get a refund?
 
Yes. If you have already purchased a ticket online or through the Contact Centre, you can apply for a refund via the V/Line website.
 
If you purchased at a ticket office, you can visit any V/Line ticket office for a refund or submit an online refund request.
 
Can I get a refund if I have a myki Pass?

Yes. myki Pass users can seek refunds through the usual refund process.
 
Will I be charged if I accidently tap on or off?

If you accidentally tap on or off with your myki or contactless payment at a V/Line station, the fare will be automatically reimbursed within 48 hours for myki, and 72 hours for contactless.
 
If you accidentally tap on elsewhere on the network (for example, at a Metro station or on a tram) you should follow the existing reimbursement process by applying online at transport.vic.gov.au
 
What about V/Line services that connect with interstate services?
 
Interstate travel fees will still apply for travel to and from coach stops in SA, NSW and the ACT.