Advice updated: Monday 20 September 2021

Restrictions apply in Metropolitan Melbourne

Restrictions are currently in place in metropolitan Melbourne, which includes a curfew from 9pm to 5am every night. The only reasons to leave home during the curfew are for authorised work, or urgent medical care and caregiving, care and support of a child or someone with special needs or in an emergency or to escape harm. Authorised workers must have a permit to travel. Outside of these reasons, you must stay at home.

The pause on Night Network public transport services between 1am to 5am on Saturday and 1am to 6am on Sunday has been extended to support the curfew in metropolitan Melbourne.

This means that trains, trams, buses and V/Line night coaches will not run between 1am and 5am on Saturdays and between 1am and 6am on Sundays from Sunday 20 August.

A normal timetable will continue to run at all other times to ensure essential workers and those who must travel for a permitted reason can get where they need to go.

At all other times there will be only six reasons to leave your home - shopping for necessary goods and services, caregiving or compassionate reasons (including medical care or to get a COVID-19 test), authorised work (with a permit) or permitted education, exercise (once a day for 4 hours, includes any time spent outdoors socialising), outdoor social interaction in limited groups (once a day for 4 hours, includes time spent on exercise) or to get a COVID-19 vaccination (provided the distance travelled, and the time taken is no more than is necessary).

Exercise and shopping will be limited to ten kilometres from your home. If there are no shops in your ten-kilometre radius, you'll be able to travel to the ones closest to you. You can also leave home to visit an intimate partner of a single social bubble buddy outside of curfew hours or in an emergency.

Face masks will need to be worn indoors and outdoors - whenever you leave home.

During restrictions we will not be accepting cash on any of our services.

Restrictions for regional Victoria

From 11.59pm on Thursday 9 September, the five reasons to leave the home will be removed in regional Victoria, with the exception of a small number of local government areas. There will be no limit on the distance regional Victorians can travel from home - other than restrictions on entry to metropolitan Melbourne.

Local government areas of the City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire are currently in a seven day lockdown with restrictions the same as in metropolitan Melbourne, excluding the curfew.

Face masks will continue to be required indoors and outdoors, apart from private residences, unless an exception applies.

The only reasons to travel from metropolitan Melbourne into regional Victoria are for authorised work or permitted education, medical care and care giving, to visit an intimate partner or single social buddy, and shopping for food and essential supplies (if is the closest facility to you) or to get vaccinated if it is your nearest location.

The same applies when travelling from regional Victoria to metropolitan Melbourne, and you must comply with metropolitan restrictions (including curfew) while in Melbourne.

Travel between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria during curfew hours can only be undertaken for the following reasons - authorised work, health and medical purposes, care and support of a child or someone with special needs or in an emergency or to escape harm.

From Friday 10 September, there will be an increased enforcement presence and focus from Victoria Police, Protective Service Officers (PSOs)and Public Transport Authorised Officers across the public transport network to ensure everyone is doing the right thing. This includes monitoring of major transport hubs and interchanges to check that those travelling into regional Victoria is doing so for lawful reasons.

Anyone who is deliberately, obviously or blatantly flouting these travel restrictions faces a fine of $5452.

For the latest updates on restrictions, permits and exposure sites, visit the Coronavirus Victoria website.

QR Codes at key locations

QR codes have been installed at tram stops in the Free Tram Zone, Metro and V/Line stations and replacement bus stops (when operating), we are now commencing installing QR codes on every tram, train and bus.

Please check in every time you see QR codes at stations and stops and while you travel on trains, trams and buses. QR codes assist the Department of Health in contact tracing when there is a COVID public exposure site. 

Visit Service Victoria for more information about how your data is being protected when using QR Codes.

Advice for passengers travelling to ACT

Restrictions are in place for passengers from greater Melbourne travelling across the ACT border. V/Line coaches are still in operation, however there are travel restrictions in place.
 
Please visit the ACT Government Covid website https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/ for more information and ensure you are permitted to travel before you board your service or book your ticket.

Advice for passengers travelling to New South Wales

Restrictions are in place for passengers from greater Melbourne travelling across the NSW border. V/Line coaches will not operate across the NSW border until further notice.
 
Please visit the NSW Government Covid website https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/border-restrictions for more information.

Advice for passengers travelling to South Australia

Restrictions are in place for passengers from greater Melbourne travelling across the South Australian border. V/Line coaches will not operate across the SA border until further notice.
 
Please visit the SA Government Covid website https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/response for more information.

Passengers who are no longer travelling, can cancel their booking and request a refund by

• following the ticket refunds guidance on the ticketing and fares page; or
• Contacting the PTV on 1800 800 007.

We will continue to update this page as new information is made available.

Advice for travelling on public transport

If travelling on public transport, you must wear a fitted face mask covering your nose and mouth, unless you have a lawful reason for not doing so, and ensure you wear it for your entire journey.

Remember to put on your fitted face mask when you enter a train station and before getting on coaches. You must also wear a mask on platforms and coach stops when you can't keep a safe distance from others.

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 fitted 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:

• 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.

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.

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 on-board services provided it meets the normal requirements for luggage on V/Line trains and coaches.

Is cash still accepted on the public transport network?

Not while restrictions are in place. Regional customers travelling on V/Line long distance services on trains or coaches can purchase paper tickets using a credit or debit card at staffed V/Line stations, select Metro Trains stations, and V/Line ticket agents, the V/Line website or by calling 1800 800 007.

We have plenty of cashless ways to top up your myki online or at your nearest station or stop. 

• Top up at myki machines, located at all stations
• Use our myki or quick top up machines at stations
• Head to an authorised myki retailer, including all 7-Elevens
• Top up online on the PTV website or in the PTV app

Are refreshments available for purchase on board?

As of 8.00pm Thursday 5 August, catering will be suspended.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead and bring food and non-alcoholic beverages with them for their journey. Water will still be available on V/Line services.