Group
Bookings
Discounts for
groups
We offer discounts
to groups travelling on V/Line trains and coaches, subject to availability.
A group, for the
purposes of group travel, is at least 12 people travelling together for the
same purpose, joining and alighting at the same locations. Return journeys (if
applicable) must be undertaken under the same conditions. The group must
purchase the ticket at the same time and place. Seating is limited.
Group travel
discounts are available to both general groups and school groups.
* Special information for primary school groups
*
Frequently
asked questions
Please
be sure to view our Frequently Asked Questions
(below) before
contacting our Group Travel Co-ordinator with any enquiries.
Online
booking
Use
Plan Your Journey (help) on our homepage to:
► choose your dates of travel
► add the number of passengers
► calculate the fare
► submit your request online
If
your group has 12-19 passengers who are travelling by rail only, you will be
able to buy your tickets online.
If you
are a group travelling by coach (for any part of your journey) or a group of
20+ travelling by train, our Group Travel Co-ordinator will get back to you
within 14 days.
General
conditions
·
Group travel allows a
group of 12 or more to travel at concession rates.
·
Group travel discounts
are available for Single, Day Return, Off Peak Single and
Off Peak Day Return tickets (see vline.com.au/tickets
for more info).
·
The fare is the
concession fare of the selected ticket type multiplied by the number of
passengers.
·
Group
travel must be arranged at least seven days in advance
o Phone (03) 9619 2338
o Fax (03) 9619 2210
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs)
How
many people do I need for a Group Booking?
To obtain group travel fares, at least 12 people must travel together at all
times, boarding and alighting at the same locations.
Can
I purchase group travel tickets from any V/Line outlet?
If you have 12-19 members in your group and are
travelling by train only (i.e there is no coach journey), purchase your
tickets from any V/Line ticket sales outlet
up to 1 hour prior to the departure time.
If you have 20 or more passengers, your booking needs
to be confirmed by our Group Travel Co‑ordinator.
Is group
travel available on V/Line coach services?
While we do accept group travel on coaches, we may not
be able to accommodate your group due to limited seating capacity.
All coach group bookings (12 or more passengers) must be confirmed by our Group Travel
Co‑ordinator.
How
do I submit my application?
Group bookings can be made four ways:
1.
Use Plan Your Journey (help) to
choose your dates of travel. You can then add the number of passengers,
calculate the fare before submitting your request online.
2.
Visit your local
staffed station and they will help you complete a group travel application
form.
3.
Email your request to grouptravel@vline.com.au
4.
Contact our Group
Travel Co‑ordinator:
Phone: 9619 2338 Fax: 9619 2210
Can
we charter a coach from V/Line?
Unfortunately not. Our main priority is providing public transport to regional
Victoria.
While we’ll always attempt to accommodate your group, if you require a
chartered coach, please contact a coach company in your local area.
What
discount applies?
All group travel is charged at concession fares.
This is approx. 50% off the normal full fare (Mondays
to Fridays) and approx. 30% at weekends.
Can
I use Pension Free Vouchers, Senior Vouchers or Family Traveller
tickets in my group booking?
Unfortunately, ticket combinations are not allowed with group travel.
How much
notice should I give?
We suggest submitting all group travel applications at least 30 days prior
to departure, to maximise the chances of us accommodating you on your chosen
service(s).
All group travel must be made at least 7 days
prior to travel.
Exception: 12-19 passengers on train services only can
purchased tickets from any V/Line ticket sales outlet
up to 1 hour before departure.
What
times can I travel?
All group travel is subject to availability. We cannot accommodate some groups
at peak times.
Additionally, special events, school holidays, sporting events, Seniors Week,
Easter, Melbourne Show etc. may be unavailable.
We will try and provide you with your initial group
travel request. If we are unable to, we’ll do our best to find alternative
times that are suitable for your group.
What
destinations can we travel to?
V/Line services cover the state of Victoria, plus some services to South Australia and New South Wales. View our network
maps.
For tourist destination ideas, see Discover Victoria.
I’ve
filled out a group travel application form. Does this mean my booking is
confirmed?
No. Group travel applications must be authorised by
our Group Travel Co-ordinator, unless it’s a booking for 12-19 passengers by train
only.
How
long until I receive confirmation my group booking has been successful?
We’ll endeavour to finalise your group travel
arrangements within 14 days. (Note: during busy times this time may be
extended).
If we’re able to confirm your booking, we’ll provide a booking reference
number. Quote this number at your local, staffed V/Line station to collect
tickets.
Is
there a maximum group size?
There is no set maximum numbers for group travel. However, due to the
operational logistics of carrying larger groups, it may be necessary to split large
groups across multiple services or deny the request.
Will
my group be given allocated seating?
Seats will be set aside for groups with 20 or more people. On unreserved
services, the Conductor will set aside enough seats to cater for your group.
When am I
required to pay?
All group bookings should be paid for and tickets collected at least 48 hours
before departure.
Can my
group travel with bikes?
This is sometimes possible, when groups travelling on locomotive‑hauled
intercity services (subject to operational requirements).
Unfortunately, we’re unable to accommodate groups with
bicycles on our Vlocity and Sprinter services.
Can I obtain
a refund on unused tickets?
Yes, group travel tickets can be refunded provided they are presented to a
V/Line booking office under the following rules:
Unreserved tickets:
Present to a V/Line
booking office or agent up to the day before the departure date printed on the
ticket.
Reserved tickets:
The booking must first be cancelled by contacting our
Group Travel Coordinator on 03 9619 2338.
Alternatively, present the tickets to a V/Line booking office or agent, before
the departure date of the service.
Tickets may be presented for refund up to seven days from the cancellation
date.
Note:
individual unused tickets cannot be presented for refund.
No administration fee applies.
More
information
Customers
requiring further information can call us on 136 196.