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Public Transport & Having a safe night out

Hovercrafts By Lee Perkins

By Gus Blenkiron

All night time activities, like most things in way to stay safe is to avoid getting involved.
Welcome to Melbourne, the sprawling, disorganised metropolis with a public transport system to match. life, have an element of risk and danger that Period!
With trams, buses, trains, and hovercrafts, Melbourne offers many means of transport around the city!
the grasshopper city-slicker must learn to
The key to public transport is a credit card sized plastic card called a Myki. You can get a Myki at shops navigate! So follow me, Maestro Lee, along Safety
such as 7Eleven, train stations, Myki machines or transport hubs. the warm and lit-up roads of a safe night out!
To use a Myki, you must have a cash balance on the card. Top up Unfortunately, there are dodgy peeps out
at a Myki machine (at stations & many stops) or set up automatic Walking the Streets there who might seek to take advantage of
top-ups for when funds get low from the mymyki website. you and compromise your safety. If someone
Your time travelling between venues will be makes you or your friend(s) feel threatened,
Buses: spent in the streets and alleys of Melbourne. make as much noise as possible, this will
When hopping on a bus, you must “tap on” and “tap off” with your Characters from all over end up on here and draw attention and hopefully scare them
card against a Myki reader. These are typically located near the unfortunately some of them are less than away. Call emergency services on 000 if you
doors. pleasant. If your only option is to walk alone, witness or are involved with an assault in

Trains: walk confidently and take the safest route any way. Refer to the handbook given in your
At a train station, Myki readers are near the doors to the station, not on the train. So make sure to tap on no matter how long it takes. Always try and fresher bag for more security information.
before you get on the train. Also, tap off so you only get charged for your journey. walk with friends, don’t have your headphones
in and be preventative - if you see someone In Conclusion
Trams: nefarious avoid them. Always, ALWAYS have
Like buses, Myki readers are found on the tram near the doors. Only tap on when not travelling in the your phone charged and easily accessible. I So, you’ve arrived home after a night out
free tram zone. You don’t need to tap off. Once you have tapped on, your ticket is valid for 2 hours. After even put a few friends from college (and the and you’re so tired you just want to kerplunk
that, you must tap on again. Along the 19 tram route (made for JCHers), the best stops for getting off duty tutor) on speed dial! straight into bed… WAIT! Brush your teeth,
near college are Morrah St and Gatehouse St. TramTRACKER and the PTV app are helpful for planning text, let your friends know you’re home safe,
your travel. Pubs and Clubs make sure you drink at least ONE WHOLE
GLASS of water! Now, lie down, think of how
Free tram zone: Before entering an establishment, I find wonderful Melbourne and JCH are, feel sorry
A free tram zone exists in the Melbourne CBD. If you are travelling entirely within the free tram zone, you
don’t need to tap on. This doesn’t include stops near JCH or the University :( that it is a good idea to work out some for the people you and your loud friends
signals with your group for quick and easy annoyed on the tram ride home, and drift off
Concession cards: communication. Deciding on strategies, such into…
To get a concession card you must fill out a concession form from the Unimelb website and take it to as meeting in a designated spot every hour,
a train station. With a bit of snip snip and stick stick, you’ll have another card to add to your Pokémon will help keep everyone together and get you
collection. Melbourne Central is the most convenient station to get your card. A concession card must and your friends out of yucky situations as
be carried with you otherwise you can be fined. fast as possible. I recommend keeping your
If you are still 18 or under, you can travel on a child’s myki, which offers the same rate as a concession phone in your front pocket or bag and only
card. taking cash and your ID. This way, you have
fewer items with you that can be lost or
What happens if I don’t touch on?
You may be fined by Myki inspectors. Inspectors are often sneaky, disguised and ready to check if stolen. Pubs and clubs both contain people
you’ve tapped on. Fines of $248 apply for not tapping on, not having a concession card or putting your under the influence of alcohol. If someone
feet up on seats! comes up to you and your friends and acts in
a way that makes you uncomfortable, or puts
Best of luck and remember that the best way to learn is through practice! And if you’ve got any anyone in danger, leave that space! The best
questions, feel free to ask. No question is stupid when asking about the complicated mess that is Public
Transport Victoria!

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