Night Network (Melbourne)#Night Bus
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox public transit
| box_width =
| name = Night Network
| image = PTV Night Network logos.svg
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| owner = Public Transport Victoria
| locale = Melbourne
| transit_type =
| lines = Melbourne suburban railway lines, 6 tram lines, 21 bus routes, 4 regional coaches
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| website = [http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/ ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/]
| began_operation = 1 January 2016
| ended_operation =
| operator = Night Train: Metro
Night Tram: Yarra Trams
Night Bus: Dysons, McKenzie's, Ventura and Kinetic Melbourne
Night Coach: V/Line
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| map = [https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/travelling-on-the-network/night-network/ Night Network]
}}
Night Network is Melbourne's weekend overnight public transport system, which commenced operation on 1 January 2016 for a 12-month trial, which was later extended by six-months, and made permanent in April 2017. It comprises all of Melbourne's regular electric railway lines, six tram lines, 21 night bus services, and five regional coach services. The night bus services replaced the previous NightRider services, with 10 operating radial from the CBD and the remaining 11 operating from suburban railway stations.
History
In January 2014, in the lead up to the 2014 Victorian State election, the Australian Labor Party promised to commence a trial of all night public transport on weekends, dubbed Homesafe, if elected.{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=James|title=Labor pledges 24-hour weekend public transport for Melbourne if it wins November election|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/labor-pledges-24hour-weekend-public-transport-for-melbourne-if-it-wins-november-election/story-fni0fit3-1226805009743|accessdate=21 December 2015|work=Herald Sun|date=19 January 2014|archive-date=19 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119070247/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/labor-pledges-24hour-weekend-public-transport-for-melbourne-if-it-wins-november-election/story-fni0fit3-1226805009743|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Victorian Labor to deliver Homesafe: 24-hour weekend public transport for Melbourne|url=https://www.viclabor.com.au/news/victorian-labor-to-deliver-homesafe-24-hour-weekend-public-transport-for-melbourne/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204045904/https://www.viclabor.com.au/news/victorian-labor-to-deliver-homesafe-24-hour-weekend-public-transport-for-melbourne/|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2014|website=Australian Labor Party Victorian Branch|accessdate=21 December 2015|date=19 January 2014}} Following the Australian Labor Party's victory, cost overruns were announced in August 2015, with the plan to cost $83.6 million, not the $50 million estimated during the election, due to increased security costs.{{cite news|last1=Edwards|first1=Jean|title=Multi-million-dollar cost blowout of Victoria's 24-hour weekend public transport trial|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-06/cost-blow-out-of-24-hour-weekend-public-transport-trial/6678054|accessdate=21 December 2015|work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=6 August 2015|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226060050/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-06/cost-blow-out-of-24-hour-weekend-public-transport-trial/6678054|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Willingham|first1=Richard|last2=Carey|first2=Adam|title=$30m cost blowout in 24-hour weekend public transport trial to begin in January|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/24hour-weekend-public-transport-trial-to-begin-in-january-20150806-gisug9.html|accessdate=21 December 2015|work=The Age|date=6 August 2015|archive-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325193114/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/24hour-weekend-public-transport-trial-to-begin-in-january-20150806-gisug9.html|url-status=live}} The network was unveiled on 30 October 2015, along with its new name, Night Network, with the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan claiming 70% of Melbourne's dwellings would be covered by Night Network.{{cite web|author1=Minister for Public Transport|title=New Public Transport Night Network Unveiled|url=https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-public-transport-night-network-unveiled/|website=Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews|accessdate=21 December 2015|date=30 October 2015|archive-date=24 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224052526/https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-public-transport-night-network-unveiled/|url-status=live}}
Night Network commenced operation on 1 January 2016 on a 12-month trial basis.{{cite news|last1=Carey|first1=Adam|title=All-night weekend public transport kicks off at New Year's with new name|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/allnight-weekend-public-transport-kicks-off-at-new-years-with-new-name-20151030-gkmvy1.html|accessdate=21 December 2015|work=The Age|date=30 October 2015|archive-date=4 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104184814/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/allnight-weekend-public-transport-kicks-off-at-new-years-with-new-name-20151030-gkmvy1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Night Network overview|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-network-overview/|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=21 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223235643/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-network-overview/|url-status=live}} In its first weekend of operation 9,862 myki touch ons were recorded, representing a three-fold increase in patronage compared to the former NightRider bus system. However, this may understate patronage as it fails to account for fare evaders, those travelling in the free tram zone, and those with periodical tickets who may not have touched on.{{cite news|last1=Willingham|first1=Richard|title=10,000 use night trains, trams and buses on first weekend of 24 hour services|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/10000-use-night-trains-trams-and-buses-on-first-weekend-of-24-hour-services-20160107-gm18yu.html|accessdate=8 January 2016|work=The Age|date=8 January 2016|archive-date=9 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109182557/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/10000-use-night-trains-trams-and-buses-on-first-weekend-of-24-hour-services-20160107-gm18yu.html|url-status=live}} The trial was later extended until June 2017,[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/night-network-services-extended/ Night network services extended] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001318/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/night-network-services-extended/ |date=15 March 2017 }} Public Transport Victoria 2 August 2016 and made permanent in April 2017.{{cite news|last1=Tomazin|first1=Farrah|title=All-night public transport to keep Melbourne on the move|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/allnight-public-transport-to-keep-running-in-melbourne-20170421-gvq5wn.html|accessdate=22 April 2017|work=The Age|date=22 April 2017|archive-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423092106/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/allnight-public-transport-to-keep-running-in-melbourne-20170421-gvq5wn.html|url-status=live}}
Night Network services
=Night Train=
All of Melbourne's train services operated by Metro Trains Melbourne, except the {{RouteBox|Flemington Racecourse|Flemington Racecourse railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Flemington Racecourse}}|white}} and {{RouteBox|Stony Point|Stony Point railway line|#{{rcr|Melbourne|Stony Point}}|white}} lines, operate as part of Night Network, servicing all metropolitan stations except for City Loop stations and Southern Cross, which close at midnight and 1am respectively. Trains operate hourly on all lines, with some lines operating as shuttles from major interchange stations.{{cite web|title=Night Train|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-train/|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=21 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223235839/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-train/|url-status=live}}
=Night Tram=
The following routes operate overnight to half-hour frequencies. The Free Tram Zone remains in operation during Night Network operating times.{{cite web|title=Night Tram|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-tram/|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=21 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223235946/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-tram/|url-status=live}}
- File:Melbourne tram route 19 icon.svg: North Coburg – Flinders Street station (City){{cite PTV route|19|mode=tram}}
- File:Melbourne tram route 67 icon.svg: Melbourne University – Carnegie{{cite PTV route|67|mode=tram}}
- File:Melbourne tram route 75 icon.svg: Vermont South – Central Pier{{cite PTV route|75|mode=tram}}
- File:Melbourne tram route 86 icon.svg: Waterfront City (Docklands) – Bundoora RMIT{{cite PTV route|86|mode=tram}}
- File:Melbourne tram route 96 icon.svg: St Kilda Beach – East Brunswick{{cite PTV route|96|mode=tram}}
- File:Melbourne tram route 109 icon.svg: Port Melbourne – Box Hill{{cite PTV route|109|mode=tram}}
=Night Bus=
Twenty-one night bus services, operated by CDC Melbourne, Dysons, Kinetic Melbourne, Transit Systems Victoria and Ventura Bus Lines, run to a 24-hour weekend service on Fridays and Saturdays, as part of Night Network. Thirteen routes operate on Fridays and Saturdays. Night Bus replaced NightRider bus services, which largely follow railway lines, with PTV claiming most passengers will still have access to all night public transport.{{cite web|title=Night Network|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Network_Bus-Map.pdf|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=8 September 2020|archive-date=25 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025175309/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/PTV-default-site/Maps-and-Timetables-PDFs/Maps/Night-Network-maps/Night-Network_Bus-Map.pdf|url-status=live}}
| class="wikitable"
!N° !From !To !Via !Notes |
| 150
| |
| 180
| |
| 190
| |
| 207
|City (Queen Street) |Kew and Doncaster Road |Doncaster – Box Hill only operates during night network |
| 250
|City (Queen Street) | |
| 357
| |
| 386
|South Morang and Mill Park | |
| 406
| |
| 410
|Footscray station | |
| 420
|Sunshine station | |
| 630
|Ormond and Huntingdale | |
| 670
|Croydon and Chirnside Park | |
| 693
|Ferntree Gully Road |Scoresby – Belgrave does not operate during night network |
| 703
| |
| 788
|Portsea – Sorrento does not operate during night network |
| 833
|Frankston station | |
| 900
|Oakleigh station |Wellington Road |Caulfield – Oakleigh does not operate during night network |
| 901
|Ringwood station |Frankston – Dandenong and Ringwood – Melbourne Airport does not operate during night network |
| 905
|City (King Street) |Collingwood, Eastern Freeway and Templestowe | |
| 907
|King Street |Collingwood, Eastern Freeway and Doncaster Road | |
| 908
| |
| 941
|Sunshine station |Watergardens station |Sunshine North, Taylors Lakes and Keilor Downs |Night network only service |
| 943
|Watergardens station |Night network only service |
| 947
|Footscray station |Night network only service |
| 949
|Williams Landing station |One-way operation, Night network only service |
| 951
|Brunswick West and Pascoe Vale |Night network only service |
| 953
|Meadow Heights and Roxburgh Park |Night network only service |
| 959
|City (Queen Street) |Moonee Ponds, Airport West and Gladstone Park |Night network only service |
| 965
|Lilydale station |Lilydale station |Woori Yallock, Healesville and Mount Evelyn |Night network only service |
| 967
|Returns via Bayswater North and Ferntree Gully, Night network only service |
| 978
|Dandenong station |Night network only service |
| 979
|Clayton station |Dandenong station |Night network only service |
| 981
|Dandenong station |Berwick and Narre Warren South |Night network only service |
| 982
|Dandenong station |Cranbourne |Endeavour Hills and Hampton Park |Night network only service |
| align="center" colspan="5" |Source: Public Transport Victoria{{cite web|title=Night Bus|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/travelling-on-the-network/changes-to-night-network-bus-services/|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=8 September 2020|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802044613/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/travelling-on-the-network/changes-to-night-network-bus-services/|url-status=live}} |
=Night Coach=
V/Line operate Night Coach services to Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon, and Geelong, departing Southern Cross station at approximately 2am. The coaches operate in lieu of regional trains, servicing railway stations along said routes.{{cite web|title=Night Coach|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-coach/|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=21 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223235837/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-coach/|url-status=live}} In October 2016, Seymour was added to the network.[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/seymour-coach-added-to-night-network-services/ Seymour Coach Added to Night Network Services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315001757/https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/seymour-coach-added-to-night-network-services/ |date=15 March 2017 }} Public Transport Victoria 16 September 2016
Ticketing
Myki tickets are valid for Night Network services, with standard fares applying, while V/Line tickets are charged at off-peak rates. Authorised Officers patrol Night Network, checking for fare evasion.{{cite web|title=Night Network – all night public transport on weekends – FAQs|url=https://getinvolved.ptv.vic.gov.au/night-network-all-night-public-transport-on-weekends/faqs|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=21 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223235526/https://getinvolved.ptv.vic.gov.au/night-network-all-night-public-transport-on-weekends/faqs|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Night Network fares and ticketing|url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-network-fares-and-ticketing|website=Public Transport Victoria|accessdate=21 December 2015|archive-date=23 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223235527/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/night-network-fares-and-ticketing|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network/ Night Network – Public Transport Victoria]
{{MelbournePublicTransport}}
Category:Bus transport in Melbourne
Category:Public transport in Melbourne