Editing Melbourne (section)

=== '''Public Transport''' ===
Melbourne has an excellent integrated public transport system, of trains, trams and buses. You can get pretty much everywhere throughout Melbourne & surrounding suburbs using a combination of all services but the transport system is radial so getting across town is slow and painful; allow plenty of time. 

For the time being you can still purchase the metcard to travel on public transport but it is being [http://ptv.vic.gov.au/fares-tickets/victorian-fares-and-ticketing-manual/victorian-fares-and-ticketing-manual/ phased out] for the new & highly despised [http://www.myki.com.au Myki] system.

The Myki card needs to be purchased prior to travelling on public transport. It can be purchased [http://www.myki.com.au/ online], from any major premium train station (first or last on any route), [http://www.myki.com.au/How-to-buy/Metropolitan-retail-outlets/Metropolitan-retail-outlets retail outlets], 7-Eleven convenience stores, at the PTV Hub on the corner of Little Collins & Swanston St's, or by calling 13 6954 (13 myki).

Once you've purchased your card you then need to ''top up'' by putting funds on the card, and when travelling ''tap on'' the card on the yellow reader on the bus/ tram or at entrance gates of train stations, and then remember to ''tap off'' when you leave. They say you don't have to tap off on trams because it automatically calculates the lowest fare. I always tap on & off anyway just so I'm in the habit of doing it for all services.

DO NOT TRY TO RIDE FOR FREE! Melbourne has Ticket Inspectors trained by North Koreans under the guidance of Hannibal Lecter. Being Johnny-Foreigner-I-don't-speak-no-English will not save you! The fines are BIG ($180) and will follow you to the grave so just BUY a ticket. The Age newspaper published an interesting story: [http://www.theage.com.au/national/ticket-inspectors-rated-as-less-than-fare-20100312-q48h.html Ticket inspectors rated as less than fare] that links to the [http://www.theage.com.au/ed_docs/Metlink_revenue.pdf The Revenue Protection Plan] that discusses how Metlink raise revenue. Brutal is best, apparently.

On a more positive note, the tourist [http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/1112 City Circle Line] is free and well worth the ride, so take it!

If you need to plan your route use the [http://ptv.vic.gov.au/ Public Transport Victoria Journey Planner], it is recommended that you also cross reference with a Google map of where you're going.