melbourne
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10:12AM Angus Kidman | No visit to Melbourne would be complete without hopping on the city’s tram network, but working out routes, stops and timetables isn’t always straightforward if you’re an out-of-towner. Tramroute simplifies the process by merging Google Maps with timetable information, allowing you to enter an address, identify the nearest tram stops, and then view timetable and real-time running information for that route. There’s also a feature to find trams near popular attractions such as Luna Park, Federation Square and the MCG, and a handy mobile version which offers stop information without the maps being loaded. Although the terms suggest that you need to register, the site currently appears to operate for any visitor. [Tramroute]
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Plan your Melbourne tram trip with Tramroute
10:12AM Angus Kidman | No visit to Melbourne would be complete without hopping on the city’s tram network, but working out routes, stops and timetables isn’t always straightforward if you’re an out-of-towner. Tramroute simplifies the process by merging Google Maps with timetable information, allowing you to enter an address, identify the nearest tram stops, and then view timetable and real-time running information for that route. There’s also a feature to find trams near popular attractions such as Luna Park, Federation Square and the MCG, and a handy mobile version which offers stop information without the maps being loaded. Although the terms suggest that you need to register, the site currently appears to operate for any visitor. [Tramroute]
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Tips and tricks for using the Melbourne public transport system
9:55AM Sarah Stokely | A poster to the melbournemaniac Livejournal community has written a very cool guide with tips and tricks for using the Melbourne public transport system.
Some of the highlights:
*Validate (or purchase) your 2-hour tram ticket just after the hour, as it rounds up and you’ll get nearly three hours of travel out of it (ie a 2.10 pm ticket will be valid until 5pm)*if you validate a 10×2 hour ticket twice in the same day it lasts until 3am
the following day – effectively it becomes a daily ticket. This makes the 10 x 2 ticket better value than buying the similarly priced 5 x daily tickets.*If you have a weekly or monthly ticket that is _just_ zone 1 or 2, on a weekend it will be both – great value if you’re travelling across town to the footie on the weekend.*If you validate a 2 hour ticket (also applies to 10×2 hourlies) after
6pm it lasts until 3am. Don’t buy a daily if you’re going to be out all
night, use a two hourly and validate post 6pm – another reason why a 10×2 hour ticket is better value than buying 5 daily tickets.
The guide also has a number of tips on how to avoid/sweet talk tram inspectors – but it’s also worth nothing that there’s a big crackdown on fare evaders at the moment, so trying to save money by skipping the tram fare probably isn’t worth it!So that’s Melbourne. People from other cities – care to share your public transport tips? If I get enough of them I’ll do a roundup of the best tips for each town/city.Public Transport Tips [Melbourne Maniacs] More » 