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  • Contents1 EROPA.............................................................................................................................................5

    1.1 TheGermanWay&More.......................................................................................................51.1.1 PublicTransportinGermany..........................................................................................51.1.2 HowtoBuyaTicket........................................................................................................61.1.3 Schwarzfahren.................................................................................................................71.1.4 TheEntwerterValidatingYourTicket..........................................................................81.1.5 Zones...............................................................................................................................91.1.6 TheSBahn......................................................................................................................91.1.7 TheUBahn....................................................................................................................111.1.8 BikesandDogs..............................................................................................................121.1.9 DieStadtbahn(LightRail)..............................................................................................121.1.10 BusesandTrams...........................................................................................................131.1.11 ACheapBusTour..........................................................................................................141.1.12 Regio.............................................................................................................................141.1.13 Taxis..............................................................................................................................14

    2 ASIA...............................................................................................................................................162.1 PublicTransportationinSingapore.......................................................................................16

    2.1.1 Buses.............................................................................................................................162.1.2 MRTandLRT.................................................................................................................182.1.3 Ezlink............................................................................................................................192.1.4 Taxis..............................................................................................................................19

    3 AMERIKA.......................................................................................................................................223.1 Ridership...............................................................................................................................223.2 Transitculture.......................................................................................................................233.3 Farecollection.......................................................................................................................243.4 Majoroperators....................................................................................................................25

    3.4.1 MetropolitanTransportationAuthority........................................................................253.5 PortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJersey........................................................................263.6 NewJerseyTransit................................................................................................................263.7 Intercityrail...........................................................................................................................273.8 Othertransit..........................................................................................................................273.9 Majortransitterminals.........................................................................................................28

    3.9.1 Trainstations.................................................................................................................283.9.2 Busterminals.................................................................................................................29

  • 3.9.3 Ferrylandings................................................................................................................294 AUSTRALIA....................................................................................................................................30

    4.1 Melbourne:PublicTransportation........................................................................................304.2 AirportArrivals......................................................................................................................304.3 CruiseShipArrivals................................................................................................................314.4 PublicTransport....................................................................................................................314.5 CentralBusinessDistrict(CBD)FreeTramTravelZone........................................................324.6 FaresandthemykiSmartcard..............................................................................................324.7 MykiVisitorValuePack.........................................................................................................344.8 UsingtheSystem...................................................................................................................35

  • PICTURECONTENTFigure1AnSBahntrainmakesastopatBerlinsmainrailstation.LearnmoreabouttheSBahnbelow.PHOTOHydeFlippo............................................................................................................................5

    Figure2MultilingualticketmachinesmakeiteasytobuyatickettoridehereinBerlin.PHOTOHydeFlippo.............................................................................................................................................6

    Figure3Theticketvalidator(Entwerter)stampsyourticketwithadateandtimecode.Useitbeforeyougotothestationplatform.PHOTOHydeFlippo...........................................................................7

    Figure4ThisVBB/BVGtickethasatimeanddatestampthatshowsithasbeenvalidated.ItisvalidfortravelinzonesAandB,andispartofasetoffourtickets.PHOTO:HydeFlippo............................8

    Figure5Somecitiesallowyoutouseanapp(AndroidoriOS)topurchaseaticketforpublictransport,asshownhereforBerlin.PHOTO:BVG..................................................................................................9

    Figure6ThisdetailfromaBVG/VBB(Berlin)routemapshowsbothSandUBahnlines,aswellasRegio (RE) train lines.TheorangeA refers to thatzone.Thereareothermaps forbusandtramroutes.PHOTO:BVG/VBB.....................................................................................................................10

    Figure7AblueandwhiteUBahnsignonBerlinsfamousKudamm.PHOTOHydeFlippo...........11

    Figure8ABerlinUBahntrainontheU2linejustbeforedeparture.PHOTOHydeFlippo.............12

    Figure9Atypicalbusstop(Haltestelle)signinGermany.ThisstopisfortheElbeRiverferrypierintheHamburgsuburbofBlankenese.PHOTOHydeFlippo......................................................................13

    Figure10SingaporeBusToursMap.....................................................................................................17

    Figure11SingaporeMRTMap..............................................................................................................19

    Figure12EntrancetotheTimesSquare42ndStreetstationon42ndStreet...................................22

    Figure13RidersontheNewYorkCitySubway....................................................................................23

    Figure14CommuterspurchasingtheMetroCard................................................................................24

    Figure15PATHtrainemergingfromtheHudsonTubesintoExchangePlacestation.........................26

    Figure16NewYorkPennStationplatform..........................................................................................27

  • Figure17MelbourneRail&TrampMap..............................................................................................37

  • 1 EROPA1.1 TheGermanWay&More

    1.1.1 PublicTransportinGermanySBahn|UBahn|Stadtbahn|Bus|Tram

    PublicTransport inGermanyandEurope isusuallyexcellent. It isverypracticalto live inany largeGermancityormetropolitanareawithoutowningacar.Evenmediumsizedcitieshavegoodpublictransportationnetworksthatusebuses,trams,andurban/suburbanraillinestomovepeoplearound.

    Figure1AnSBahntrainmakesastopatBerlinsmainrailstation.LearnmoreabouttheSBahnbelow.PHOTOHydeFlippo

  • BecausethepublictransportationsystemsinGermanyareusuallyregional,aticketfortheSBahnisalsovalidforastreetcarorbus.Forinstance,theSBahninBerlinisasubsidiaryofDeutscheBahn,thenationalrailway,butitisalsopartoftheTransportAssociationBerlinBrandenburg(VBB).ThatmeansaticketboughtatanSBahnstationisalsovalidforbuses,theUBahn,ortrams.Ifyoubuyaticketfromabusdriver(normalpracticeinBerlin),itisalsovalidfortheSBahn,aslongasyouuseitwithintwohoursofyourpurchase.Ticketsarealsoavailableatmultilingualticketmachinesonplatformsoratsalespointsinmajorstations.

    Figure2MultilingualticketmachinesmakeiteasytobuyatickettoridehereinBerlin.PHOTOHydeFlippo

    1.1.2 HowtoBuyaTicketUnliketheTubeinLondon,theMetroinParis,BARTinSanFrancisco,orurbanrailsystemsinmostworldcities,youwontencounteranyturnstilesontheSorUBahninGermany.Youdonthavetofeedyourticketintoamachineinordertogettoyourtrain.

    Youthusmaybetemptedtoskipbuyingaticket,butGermanyshonorsystemforpublictransportoperates on the trust but verify principle. You never know when plainclothes controllers willsuddenlyflashtheirbadgesandsaythedreadedwords:Fahrkartenbitte!(Ticketsplease!)Ifyougetcaughtwithoutavalid(stamped)ticketorpass,youllhavetopayafineonthespottourists

  • included!Thefinewentupinspring2015from40to60(about$68USD).Sincethetypicalonewayfareisabout2.70($3.00),itsreallynotworththeembarassment,letalonethefine.

    1.1.3 SchwarzfahrenTheGermanverbschwarzfahrenmeanstoridepublictransportwithoutaticket(totravelblack,asinblackmarket).Apersonwhodoesthis iscalledaSchwarzfahrer. Inthe1980ssomestudents inGermanysetupsocalledSchwarzfahrerVersicherung(faredodgerinsurance).Iftheygotcaught,the informal insurance group paid their fine. Although there are currently similar faredodgerinsuranceschemesinParisandStockholm,thisideahasnotbeenverypopularinGermany,especiallynowwiththerecentfineincrease.

    Youcansavesomemoneybybuyingastripticket(eineStreifenkarte,asetofperforatedticketsinastrip)oramultiticketsetoffourtickets.Eachcityseemstodothisalittledifferently,butitsavesyoualittlemoneytobuyinbulk.Tosaveevenmore,youcanbuyweekly,monthly,annual,orgroupticketsatadiscount.(IfyouareanexpatinBerlin,Munich,orelsewhere,considergettinganannualormonthlypass.)ATageskarte(dayticket)isvalidfor24hoursoftravel,andwillsaveyoumoneyifyouplantomakealotoftripswithinthattime.Checkwithyourlocalpublictransportagencyforticketpricingandoptions.

    Berlin,Frankfurt,andsomeothercitiesalsoofferKurzstrecke(shortroute)ticketsthataregoodforamaximumofthreestops.Ifyoubuyashortrouteticketandthentravelpastthelimit,itsthesameashavingnoticket.

    Figure3Theticketvalidator(Entwerter)stampsyourticketwithadateandtimecode.Useitbeforeyougotothestationplatform.PHOTOHydeFlippo

  • 1.1.4 TheEntwerterValidatingYourTicketItisimportanttoknowthatjusthavingaticketinyourpossessionisntenough.Yourticketmustbevalidated, either before you board the train (using machines at the station entrance or on theplatform),orimmediatelyafteryouboardabusortram(usingmachinesintheaisle).TheEntwerterstampsyourticketwithacodeforthedateandtime.AticketwithoutastampfromtheEntwerterisnotavalidticket.

    PracticesinEuropevary,butinGermanyyoucanusuallybuyaticketfromthebusdriverwhenyouboard(cashonly,exactchange),orusingtheticketmachineontrams.(InsomeSwisscitiesyoumusthaveaticketbeforeyouboardabusortram.)Ifyoualreadyhaveavalidticket,showittothebusdriverwhenyougeton.Buseshavefrontandreardoors.Youalwaysboardinthefront(Einstieg)andexitintheback(Ausstieg).Tramsoftenhavetwoormorecars,andyoucanboardanyoneofthem.

    Figure4ThisVBB/BVGtickethasatimeanddatestampthatshowsithasbeenvalidated.ItisvalidfortravelinzonesAandB,andispartofasetoffourtickets.PHOTO:HydeFlippo

    InmostGermancitiesanormalticketisvalidfortransportinonedirectionfortwohours.Withinthattimeyoucanuseyourtickettotransferamongthevariousmodesoftransport(bus,tram,SBahn,UBahn),butyoucantusethatsametickettotravelbacktowardswhereyoubeganyourjourney.Forthatyoullneedanewticket.

  • 1.1.5 ZonesMostGermancitiesuseazonesystemtodeterminetheprice (Tariff)ofyour ticket.Forexample,Berlinhasthreezones:A,BandCwithAbeinginthecenter,Bfurtherout,andContheoutskirts.Ticketsarepriced(ineuros)forzonesAB(2.70),BC(3.00),orABC(3.30).Whenyoubuyaticketeitherfromaticketagentoramachineyoumustselectorsaywhichzonesyouneed.IfyouhaveanABticketandtravelintozoneC(orfromCintoA),thenyouhaveaninvalidticket.YoucanseethezonesontheSBahnorUBahnmapslocatedatstations,inprint,andonline.Theresevenanappforthatinsomecities,andyoucanalsogetadigitalticketonyourmobilephone,similartoanairlineboardingpass.(Seethephotobelow.)

    Figure5Somecitiesallowyoutouseanapp(AndroidoriOS)topurchaseaticketforpublictransport,asshownhereforBerlin.PHOTO:BVG

    1.1.6 TheSBahnThetermSBahnisanabbreviationofStadtschnellbahn(Germanforcityrapidrail).ThefirsturbanrailsystemtobecalledanSBahnwasintroducedin1930whenBerlinexpandeditselectrifiedrailnetwork.After theoriginal steamlocomotive smokeandnoisehadbecomeanuisance,Berlininaugurated an electrified (thirdrail, 800volt DC) system in 1924. Today many cities all acrossGermany,Austria,andGermanSwitzerlandhaveacommuterrailsystemsknownastheSBahn.

    InlargerGermancitiestheSBahnisalsopartofarailnetworkthatincludesundergroundUBahnlines.InBerlin,forinstance,itispossibletotransferfromtheSBahntotheUBahn(orviceversa)atsomestations,allwiththesameticket.BerlinsSBahn,Germanyslargestsystem,has15lineswitha

  • 330kilometer(205mile)networkthatmostlyrunsaboveground.AroundgreensignwithawhiteSsignifiesanSBahnstation.

    Figure6ThisdetailfromaBVG/VBB(Berlin)routemapshowsbothSandUBahnlines,aswellasRegio(RE)trainlines.TheorangeAreferstothatzone.Thereareothermapsforbusandtramroutes.PHOTO:BVG/VBB

    Residents of Berlin get used to hearing the Zurckbleiben, bitte! (Stand back, please!)announcementjustbeforeanSBahnorUBahntrainshutsitsdoorspriortodeparture.TheSBahnisthekeystoneofBerlinspublictransportsystem.The15SBahnroutescrisscrossthecitysvastarea,fromKpenick inthesoutheasttoSpandauinthenorthwest.TheRinglines(41and42)encircleZoneA,thecentralpartofBerlin,andconnectwithalloftheotherlines.Runningeverytenminutesatpeaktimes,every20minutesatothertimes,theSBahnisthebestwaytocoverlongerdistances,sometimesincombinationwiththeundergroundUBahn.

    C IT IES ANDMETROAREAS IN GERMANYWITHS BAHNL INESBerlinBrandenburg Magdeburg RheinNeckar*

    *Ludwigshafen,Mannheim,Heidelberg,Kaiserslautern,Karlsruhe

    Bremen/Niedersachsen Mitteldeutschland** NordrheinWestfalen

    **Leipzig,Halle(Saale),Zwickau

  • Dresden Munich(Mnchen) RheinRuhr(Dsseldorf)

    Hamburg Nuremberg(Nrnberg) Cologne(Kln),Bonn

    Hanover RheinMain*** Rostock

    Stuttgart

    ***FrankfurtamMain,Darmstadt,Wiesbaden,Mainz,OffenbachamMain

    Figure7AblueandwhiteUBahnsignonBerlinsfamousKudamm.PHOTOHydeFlippo

    1.1.7 TheUBahnUBahn(shortforUntergrundbahn)istheGermantermforwhatisvariouslyknowninEnglishasthemetro,subway,underground,orTube.AlthoughUBahntrainsusuallyrununderground,theycanalsobeseenaboveground,oftenonelevatedsteelviaducts.AbluesignwithawhiteUidentifiesaUBahnstation.

    TheworldsfirstelectrifiedundergroundraillineopenedinLondononNovember4,1890.InGermany,thefirstUBahnbeganrunningin1902inBerlin.TheBerlinUBahnnetworkhasgraduallyexpandedtobecomeGermanyslargest,with10linescoveringatotaldistanceof146.2kilometers(91miles)andstoppingat173UBahnstations.(TheextensionoftheU5linebetweentheBrandenburgGateandAlexanderplatz,nowunderconstruction,willaddabout2km,justoveramile.)

  • Figure8ABerlinUBahntrainontheU2linejustbeforedeparture.PHOTOHydeFlippo

    TodayonlyfourGermancities(andViennainAustria)haveunderground/metro(UBahn)lines:Berlin,Hamburg,Munich,andNuremberg.Afewcities,suchasCologne,HanoverandStuttgart,havelightrail(Stadtbahn)trainsthatsometimesrununderground,butthesearenottrueundergroundsubwaylines.(SeeStadtbahnbelow.)TheUBahnisaspeedywaytogetaroundinBerlin,Hamburg,Munich,Nuremberg,andVienna,withtrainsrunninginfivetotenminuteintervalsatpeaktraffictimes.

    TherulesforbuyingandvalidatingticketsfortheSBahn,describedabove,alsoapplytotheUBahn.

    1.1.8 BikesandDogsMostpublictransportsystemsinGermanyhavespecialcarsmarkedwithabicyclesymbolindicatingthatyoucanbringabikeonboard.But,inadditiontoyourownticket,youneedtobuyaticketforyourbike!Thesameruleappliestodogslargerthanacat.Dogsmustalsowearamuzzleandbeonaleash.

    1.1.9 DieStadtbahn(LightRail)SomeGermancitieshavea lightrail systemknownas theStadtbahn (city rail).TheStadtbahnconceptusesamixtureofspecialandregularstreetcarsthatuseundergroundtunnelsandstationstoincreasethesystemsspeedbyavoidingvehiculartraffic. Insomecases,unlikeanormaltram,theStadtbahntravelsonitsownrailbed,oftenonagrassymedianstrip,tokeepitfrombeinghinderedbyroadtraffic.

  • IncitieswithoutatrueUBahn,includingDsseldorf,FrankfurtamMain,andStuttgart,theStadtbahn,with itstunnels,providesacheaperalternativetobuildinga fullundergroundsystemlikethose inBerlinorMunich.ThesesystemsevenusesignswithawhiteUonabluebackground,similartorealUBahnlinesinGermany.Byusingraillinesthatareseparatedfromroadtrafficandnormalstreetcars,theStadtbahncanprovidefasterservicethananormaltram.

    Inothercities,itcanbedifficulttodistinguishbetweenaStadtbahnandnormalstreetcars.Inplaceslike Chemnitz, Erfurt, and Freiburg, the Stadtbahn consists of normal trams that run on tracksseparated fromroadways,butwithoutany tunnels. In somecases, theStadtbahn tramshave lowfloors(NiederflurStraenbahn)onlyinchesabovetheground,avoidingtheneedforspecialboardingplatforms.

    Figure9Atypicalbusstop(Haltestelle)signinGermany.ThisstopisfortheElbeRiverferrypierintheHamburgsuburbofBlankenese.PHOTOHydeFlippo

    1.1.10 BusesandTramsAroundsignwithgreenHinayellowcircleidentifiesaHaltestelle,abusortramstop.(Seephoto.)Atsomestopstheremaybeanelectronicsignthatindicatestheroutenumberandwhenthenextbusortramwillarrive.Inalmostallcases,youwillfindaframedtimetableonapostatthestop.

    Ifyoualreadyhaveaticket,showittothebusdriverasyouboard,andthenvalidateitwithayellow,orangeorredmachineintheaislelabeledBittehierentwerten.(Skipthisstepifyouhaveaticketthathasalreadybeenstamped.)Ifyoudonthaveaticket,youcanusuallybuyonefromthebusdriver(butnotontrams,whichhaveticketmachinesineachcar).Onsomesystems,electronicseasonticketsarevalidatedbyholdingthemagainstaredcircleonaspecialmachineneartheentrance.

  • Therearebuttonsonpostsalongtheaislethatyoupresstosignalwhenyouwanttogetoff.Modernbusesandtramshaveanelectronicsignabovethedriverscompartmentthatindicatesthenameofthenextstop,andBushlt(buswillstop)ifsomeonehaspressedthestopbutton.Insomecases,youll hear a chimeand a recorded voice that announces the nameof thenext stop.Always exitthroughthereardoor.Youmayhavetopressabuttontoopenthedoorifyouarethefirstpersontoexit.

    1.1.11 ACheapBusTourInadditiontoregularbuses,Berlinhasdoubledeckerbuses,similartothoseinLondon.Ifyousitonthetopdeckofthe100businBerlin,youcanenjoyawonderfulcitytourforthepriceofanormalbusticket(2.70).The100bustravelsbetweenBahnhofZoointheWestandAlexanderplatzintheEast,passingmanyofthecitystopattractions.Withadayticket,youcanalsogetonandoffalongtheway.Theresevenaspecialwebpageforthe100bus.FormoreaboutBerlinsights,seeourBerlinCityGuide.

    1.1.12 RegioAnotheroptionforgettingaroundlocallycomesfromDeutscheBahn(GermanRail).RegionaltrainsinGermanyaredesignatedRB(RegioRegionalBahn,stopseverywhere)andRE(RegionalExpress,faster, with fewer stops). For more about regional and other intercity trains, see Train Travel inGermany.

    1.1.13 TaxisAlthoughtaxisarenotreallypartofthepublictransportationsysteminGermanspeakingEurope,weincludethiscategoryasanimportantalternativeforcertainsituations.Forinstance,ifyouneedtogettotheairportwithallyourluggage,especiallyifthereismorethanonepersontraveling,orderingataxi inadvancecouldbeasmartoption.Acabisalsohelpfulwhenyouneedtogetsomewhereintown that is not close to a public transport stop. Shoppers sometimes go to the store via publictransportation,anduseataxitobringhomethegoodstheybought.

    Taxis inGermanyarealwaysthesamecreamcolorwithayellowandblackTaxisignonthetop.TheyusedtoalwaysbeaMercedes,anAudi,orotherluxurycar,butnowadaysyourejustaslikelytoberidinginaniceAsianimport.Althoughyoucanflagdownacabonthestreet,itisbesttoeitherorderoneinadvanceorgotoataxistand,ofwhichtherearemanyindowntownareas.Iftherearenotaxisatthestand,youcanuseaspecialtaxicallboxtogetacab.

    Comparedtomanyothercountries,taxiratesinGermanyarereasonablebutnotinexpensive.Alltaxismusthaveameterthatdisplaysallcharges.Theamountalwaysincludestax.Itiscommontotipthe

  • driverabouttenpercent,moreifthedriverhelpedyouwithheavyluggageorpackages.Ifyouuseacreditcardforpayment,theremaybeanextracharge.(AlittlereminderthatyoureinGermany.)

  • 2 ASIA2.1 PublicTransportationinSingapore

    ByEverlynLee

    FrombusesandtaxistotheMRT,thewidearrayofpublictransportationinSingaporehasmuchtooffer.Weputintoperspectiveeachmodeoftransport'sprosandcons.

    Travelling fromonepartofSingapore toanother is abreeze thanks toahighlypenetrativepublictransportsystem.ThethreemainmodesofpublictransportinSingaporearetheMassRapidTransit(MRT),busesandtaxis.

    Busesare,byfar,themostcommonformofpublictransportationinSingapore,followedbytheMRTandtaxisrespectively.PublicbusesservealmosteverypartofSingapore,makingitthemostextensiveformofpublictransportation,whiletheMRTprovidesspeedandefficiency,especiallyduringpeakhours.

    2.1.1 BusesPublicbustransportationisprovidedbytwooperators,namelySBSTransit(operatingdistinctiveredandwhitebuses)andSMRT(yellowbuses).BothoperatorsservetheirownnetworkofroutesandbusinterchangesthroughoutSingapore.

    Publicbusesrundailyfrom5.30amtomidnight.Therearealsoextendednightservices,namelyNiteOwlandNightRider,whichcostslightlymore(aflatraterangingfrom$1.50$3.00).Otherwise,mostfares dependondistance travelled and range from67 cents to $1.58 for airconditioned comfort(almostallpublicbusesinSingaporehaveairconditioningtoday).

    Therearealsofeederbusservicesthatchargeaflatrateof67cents.Theseservicestendtorunalong a small circuit of roads within a single housing estate, and usually terminate atmajor businterchanges.

    Other special services include the premier bus service Bus Plus, which offers commuters moreconvenience,comfortandashortertravellingtime.

  • Figure10SingaporeBusToursMapSource:http://www.mappery.com/mapof/SingaporeTourBusMap

    BusescontinuetobeamajorpartofSingapore'spublictransportationbecausetheMRTnetworkisnotyetveryextensivethetrainstendonlytoarriveatmajortowncentres.Togettolocationsinthemoreperipheralareas,you'dusuallyhavenochoicebuttotakeabusoracab.

    Itwouldn't take you long to discover that Singaporeans have a lovehate relationshipwith publicbuses. It'snothardtotellwhy.Forstarters, there is thetimespentwaitingforabustoarrive. Intheory,eachbusshouldnottakemorethan15to20minutestoarriveatthebusstop.Inpractice,thewaitingtimecanoccasionallytakeoverhalfanhour,dependingontrafficconditions.

    To make matters worse, many buses tend to be packed, especially during peak hours. On suchoccasions,theugliersideofSingaporeanbehaviourmightsurface,andonesuchexamplewouldbewhenpassengersrefusedespitemuchproddingtomovetowardstherearofthebusinordertomakewayformorepassengerstoboard.

  • Still,toputthingsinperspective,thepublicbusisthemostcosteffectivewaytotravelinSingapore.TakingabusisalsoprobablythebestwayforyoutoseeawidercrosssectionofSingaporeansonadailybasis.

    2.1.2 MRTandLRTThe construction of the firstMRT lines (NorthSouth and EastWest lines) began inMay 1982, amassiveprojectthatcostaheftyS$5billion.Sincethen,theMRThasexpandedtoserveevermorecommuters.AlinewasbuilttoconnectthenorthernandwesternstationsbetweenWoodlandsandJurong.TheNortheastLinewasaddedafewyearslater,toconnectthenewhousingestatesofPunggolandSengkangtodowntownSingapore.

    TheCircleLine(CCL),whichissettostartoperatingfrom2010onwards,willcuttravellingtimeandallowcommuterstobypassbusyinterchangeslikeCityHallandRafflesPlace.Costing$6.7billion,theCCLwill be a fullyundergroundorbital line linking all radial lines leading to the city. The linewillinterchangewiththeNorthSouthLine,EastWestLineandNorthEastLine.

    TheMRTmaybewellover20yearsold,butthankstoregularmaintenanceandfacelifts,it'dbehardtonoticeitsage.MostSingaporeanscannolongerrememberatimewithouttheMRT.IthasbecomeaveryindispensablewaytogetfromoneendofSingaporetoanother,anditisparticularlyusefulforgettingtodowntownareassuchasOrchardRoadortheCentralBusinessDistrict,wheretrafficcanbeheavy.

    More recently, the LightRapidTransit (LRT) systemwasalso added to theexisting trainnetwork.UnliketheMRT,theLRTareintratownloopservicespassengersswitchfromtheMRTtotheLRTtogettootherpartsofthetown.Todate,LRTserviceshaveonlybeenimplementedintheBukitPanjang,SengkangandPunggolhousingestates.

    Thegreatestadvantagethattrainshaveoverroadtransportistheirabilitytobypasstrafficcongestion.On top of that, theMRT and LRT are both very cheap compared to train services inmost othercountriesintheworld.Themajordisadvantageisthattherailnetworkisnotyetasextensiveasmostwouldlikeittobe.

    Justlikepublicbuses,MRTtrainscangetincrediblycrowded,especiallyduringpeakhours,inspiteofthehigherfrequencyoftrainsduringsuchtimes.Thisis,perhaps,anunavoidablepartofurbanliving,but the good news is that the trains are very clean and wellmaintained, so it's very seldom acompletelyunpleasantride.

  • Figure11SingaporeMRTMap.Source:https://expatrentals.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/singapore_mrt_map.jpg

    2.1.3 EzlinkThe ezlink card is a fairly recent innovation thatwas added to both the bus and rail network inSingapore.

    Theezlinkcardisathin,compactsmartcard,similarinsizetoacreditcard.Itisessentiallyastorevaluedcard,verymuchlikeapublictelephonecard.Unliketelephonecardshowever,atamperproofmicrochipisembeddedinsideanezlinkcard.

    Touseanezlinkcard,allyouhavetodoistapthecardonacardreader,whichwillautomaticallyscananddeducttheappropriateamountfromyourcard.ThesecardreadersarelocatedontheturnstilesofallMRTstations,andonthefrontandbackentrancesofallpublicbuses.

    YoucantopupthevalueofyourezlinkcardatallMRTstationsandbusinterchanges.Justbringittoacounterandtopupwithcash,ordoitelectronicallyatelectronicticketmachines.

    2.1.4 TaxisEighttaxicompaniesoperatetaxis inSingapore:ComfortTransportation,CityCab,YellowTopTaxi,SMRTTaxis,TransCabServices,SMARTAutomobile,PremierTaxisandPrimeTaxi.

    Taxisprovideyouwithgreaterspeed,comfortandofcourse,privacy.Althoughtaxisaresubjecttothesametrafficconditionsaspublicbuses,ithasthemajoradvantageofnotbeingforcedtorunona

  • fixedroute.Experiencedtaxidriversknowwhichroadstoavoidduringpeakhourstoevadetrafficjams.Thedriversalsotendtobegreatsourcesofgossipandconversation!

    AlltaxisinSingaporechargebythemeter.Itisafairandtransparentsystem,butthatdoesn'tmakeitanymoreeconomical,unfortunately.

    Here'sacomparisoninfaresandtraveltimeforatripfromthefirsttowninSingapore,ToaPayoh,toCityHall(CBDArea)duringanonpeakhour:

    Bus Train TaxiFare $1.39 $0.98 $9.00TravelTime 35minutes 13minutes 20minutes

    However,donotexpecttopay$9.00whenyoutraveltoworkinthemorning,asthereareadditionalsurchargesfortravellingduringpeakhours,asillustratedbelow:

    Startingfare:$2.80Travelfare:$6.20Peakperiodsurcharge:$3.15(35%ofmeteredfare)ElectronicRoadPricinggantry:$2.00Totalfare:$14.15Here is another comparison in fares and travel time for a trip fromHougang, the Easternpart ofSingapore,toCityHall(CBDArea)duringanonpeakhour:

    Bus Train TaxiFare $1.58 $1.53 $14.00TravelTime 55minutes 23minutes 30minutes

    ItmaybehelpfultodoanothercomparisoninfaresandtraveltimeforatripfromJurongEast,theWesternpartofSingapore,toCityHall(CBDArea)duringanonpeakhouraswell:

    Bus Train TaxiFare $1.58 $1.37 $15.50TravelTime 52minutes 25minutes 27minutes

  • Asyoucansee,travellingbytaxiduringrushhourscaneasilyresultin50%higherfares.Assuch,itisextremelyrareforpeopletocommutetoworkviataxis.

    Itgetsevenmoreexpensiveifyoucalltobookataxi.Regularbookingscostanextra$3.50duringpeakhoursand$2.50duringnonpeakperiods.AndifyoupaybyNETSorcreditcards,therewouldbea10% additional administrative charge, so perhaps youmight like to think twice before opting forpaymentwithcreditorchargecards.

    Then,therearethelatenightsurcharges,whereyouhavetopayanadditional50%ofthemeteredfarebetween12midnightto6aminthemorning.

    TaxiridesinSingaporemaycostrelativelylessthantaxisinmanyotherdevelopedcountriesintheworld,butnonetheless,thecostsdoaddup,sounlessyouenjoythebenefitofclaimingsuchexpensesfromyourcompany,youwouldbewisertochoosethetaxionlywhenyouneeditbadly.

  • 3 AMERIKANewYorkCity'spublictransportationnetworkisthemostextensiveinNorthAmerica.Aboutoneineverythreeusersofmasstransit intheUnitedStatesandtwothirdsofthenation'srail ridersareresidentsofNewYorkCity,oritssuburbs.Datafromthe2000U.S.CensusrevealsthatNewYorkistheonlylocalityintheUnitedStateswheremorethanhalfofallhouseholdsdonotownacar(thefigureisevenhigherinManhattan,over75percent).Whilenearly90percentofAmericansdrivetotheirjobs,masstransitistheprimaryformoftravelforNewYorkers.NewYork'suniquelyhighrateofpublictransitmakesitoneofthemostenergyefficientcitiesinthecountry.

    3.1 Ridership

    Figure12EntrancetotheTimesSquare42ndStreetstationon42ndStreet

    TheMetropolitanTransportationAuthority(MTA)operatesmostofNewYorkCity'stransitsystems.Using census data, the MTA reported in August 2006 that ridership on its buses, subways andcommutertrainsinrecentyearshasgrownfasterthanpopulationgrowth,indicatingthatmoreNewYorkersarechoosingtousemasstransit,despitethepoorserviceofsomeareasinNewYorkCitybymasstransit.[2]TheMTAattributedtheridershipgainstotheintroductionoftheMetroCardin1993,andthereplacementofmorethan2,800rollingstocksince2000.

    From1995to2005,theauthoritysaid,ridershiponcitybusesandsubwaysgrewby36%,comparedwithapopulationgaininthecityof7%.Inthesuburbs,itsaid,a14%increaseinridershiponMetroNorthandtheLongIslandRailRoadoutpacedasuburbanpopulationgainof6%.[3]Withdramaticincreasesinfuelpricesin2008,aswellasincreasedtourismandresidentialgrowth,ridershiponbusesandsubwaysgrew3.1%uptoabout2.37billiontripsayearcomparedto2007.This isthehighestridershipsince1965.[4]

    In2013,ridershipontheNewYorkCitySubwaywas1.7billion,[5]thehighestridershipsince1946,despiteHurricaneSandyrelatedsubwayclosures.[6]Ridershipincitybuseswas803million.[5]

  • 3.2 Transitculture

    Figure13RidersontheNewYorkCitySubway

    Over5millionpeopleridethetransitnetworkeachweekday,andthesystemisamajorvenueforcommerce,entertainmentandpoliticalactivism.Muchofthecityreliesonthesubwayas itsmainsourceoftransportationandNewYorkCityishometotwoofonlyfive24hoursubwaysystemsintheUnitedStates.Campaigningatsubwaystations isastapleofNewYorkelectionsakintocandidateappearancesatsmalltowndinersduringpresidentialcampaignsintherestofthecountry.Eachweek,morethan100musiciansandensemblesrangingingenrefromclassicaltoCajun,bluegrass,African,SouthAmericanand jazzgiveover150performancessanctionedbyNewYorkCityTransitat25locationsthroughoutthesubwaysystem,manyundertheMusicUnderNewYorkprogram.[7]Therearemanymorewhoareunauthorizedperformers,calledbuskers,rangingfromprofessionalsputtingonanimpromptushowtopanhandlersseekingdonationsbywayofasong.

    One outcome of the city's extensive mass transit use is a robust local newspaper industry. ThereadershipofmanyNewYorkdailies consists in largepartby transit riderswho readduring theircommutes. The threeday transit strike in December 2005 briefly depressed circulation figures,underscoringtherelationshipbetweenthecity'scommutingcultureandnewspaperreadership.[8]

    ThesubwaysofNewYorkhavebeenvenues forbeautypageantsandguerrillatheater.TheMTA'sannualMissSubwayscontestranfrom1941to1976andagainin2004(undertherevisedname"Ms.Subways").

    Thesubwaysandcommuter rail systemsalsohavesomeartworks in their stations,commissionedundertheMTAArts&Designumbrella.

  • 3.3 Farecollection

    Figure14CommuterspurchasingtheMetroCard.

    TheMTAoperatedNewYorkCity subwayandbussystems formerlyused tokensor coins for farecollection.Theuseoftokensonthesesystemswasdiscontinuedin2003.

    TheMetroCardisthecurrentpaymentmethodforMTAoperatedsubwayandbussystems,aswellasforseveralothertransportationsystemsinthemetropolitanarea.Itisathin,plasticcardonwhichthecustomerelectronicallyloadsfares.Paymentmaybemadeatautomatedmachinesthatacceptmoney,creditcards,anddebitcards.Variablepayschemesareavailable;cardswithmoreprepaidridesoffergreaterdiscounts.TheMetroCardwasintroducedtoenhancethetechnologyofthetransitsystemandeliminatetheburdenofcarryingandcollectingtokens.

    In 2006, New York City's two main transportation systems, New York City Subway and PATH,announcedplanstointroducesmartcardsforpayingfares.InFebruary2006,thePortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJerseyunveileda$73millionsmartcardsystemintheWorldTradeCenterPATHstation.ThePATH"SmartLink"cardcontainsanantennaattachedtoacomputerchip,whichcanbereadbyturnstileswithoutrequiringpassengers to swipecards, similar to theTfLOystercard.TheSmartLinkcardwilleventuallyreplacethemagneticstripQuickCardacceptedatPATHturnstiles.TheMTAownedsubwayandbusnetworkswilleventuallyusethissametechnology.AconsortiumofNewYorkmetropolitan transit agencies, including the Port Authority and New Jersey Transit, will testdifferentversionsandintroduceasinglestandard.Inthefuture,allNewYorkCityareatransitsystemswillusethesame"contactless"paymentsystem,butthisisnotexpectedtobecompletedwithinthenearfuturebecausetheMTAconsidersupgradingthepaymentsystema lowerpriorityfor limitedfundsthanurgenttrackandsignalmaintenance.

  • 3.4 Majoroperators3.4.1 MetropolitanTransportationAuthorityTheMetropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is a New York State public benefit corporationtasked with providing mass transit in the New York City metropolitan area through its varioussubsidiaryagencies.

    MTANewYorkCityTransitprovidesextensivefixedfaresubwayandbusservice(thelattercontrolledbyRegionalBusbelow)throughoutthefiveboroughsofNewYorkCity.Thesubwaysystem isoneofthe largest intheworld,withover720miles(1,160km)oftrackand469stations.Thefree(exceptatSt.GeorgeandTompkinsville)StatenIslandRailway,partofthissystem,providesnorthsouthservicealongtheentirelengthofStatenIsland.

    MTARegionalBusOperationsprovidesbusservicewithinNewYorkCity,utilizingtwopublicbrands:

    MTANewYorkCityBusformosttransitservicewithinNewYorkCity. MTABusCompanyforroutespreviouslyoperatedbyprivatecompaniesundercontractto

    theNewYorkCityDepartmentofTransportation. MTALongIslandRailRoadprovidesextensivecommuterservicetomostofLongIsland,with

    destinationsinKings,Queens,Nassau,andSuffolkCountiesviatwotrunklinesandsixsubsidiarybranches.TheLIRRoperatestoandfromasinglestationinManhattan(NewYorkCounty),PennsylvaniaStation.

    MTAMetroNorthRailroadprovidescommuterservicefromTheBronx,WestchesterCounty,PutnamCounty,DutchessCountyandsouthernConnecticutintoGrandCentralTerminal.ThreemainlinesterminateinPoughkeepsie,Wassaic,andNewHaven.ThelattermostlinehasconnectingbranchestoNewCanaan,DanburyandWaterburyinConnecticut.InpartnershipwithNewJerseyTransit,MetroNorthRailroadalsoprovidescommuterservicesintoHoboken,NewJerseyfromPortJervisandSpringValley.

  • 3.5 PortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJersey

    Figure15PATHtrainemergingfromtheHudsonTubesintoExchangePlacestation.

    ThePortAuthorityofNewYorkandNewJerseyoperatesthreerailsystems,twoofwhichareinNewYorkCity:

    PATH,anelectricrailroadconnectingManhattantoNewJersey AirTrainJFK,arapidtransitsystemconnectingtheterminalsandparkingareasatJohnF.

    KennedyInternationalAirport(JFK),Jamaica,andHowardBeach,Queens

    ThePortAuthorityalsoownsandoperatesthethreemajorairportsintheNewYorkCityareaandthe Stewart International Airport about 55 miles north. Regional bus service to New Jersey,upstateNewYork,theMidwest,andCanadatravelsfromthePortAuthorityBusTerminalnearTimesSquareandthesmallerGeorgeWashingtonBridgeBusTerminal.

    3.6 NewJerseyTransitNewJerseyTransit(NJTransit)providesextensivecommuterrailservicefromnorthernandcentralNewJerseytoPennsylvaniaStation inManhattan.NJTransitalsohasanextensivenetworkofbusroutesradiating inandoutofthePortAuthorityBusTerminalandGeorgeWashingtonBridgeBusStation.Inadditiontobusesandcommutertrains,NJTransitalsooperatesthreelightrailsystemsinthestate.

    The Northeast Corridor Line provides electric rail service between Pennsylvania Station inManhattanandTrenton.AtTrenton,riderscanconnecttoSEPTAandAmtrak.

    The North Jersey Coast Line provides electric rail service between Pennsylvania Station inManhattanandLongBranch.DieselserviceisprovidedbetweenLongBranchandBayHeadorHobokenandBayHead.

    TheRaritanValleyLineprovidesdiesel rail servicebetweenHighBridge,Raritan,andNewarkPennStation.

  • The Pascack Valley Line provides diesel rail service between Spring Valley, NY and HobokenTerminal.

    TheBergenCountyLine,MainLineandPortJervisLineprovidedieselrailservicebetweenPortJervis,NYandHoboken.NJTransithasapartnershipwithMetroNorthRailroadinwhichtheyprovidethefacilitiesnecessaryforstationswithinnorthofSuffern,NewYork.

    TheMontclairBoontonLineprovideselectricrailservicebetweenMontclair,andPennsylvaniaStation, designated asMidtown Direct. It provides diesel service from Hackettstown, Dover,Montclair,andHoboken.

    TheMorrisandEssexLinesprovideelectricrailservicebetweenDoverorGladstoneandPennStation,designatedasMidtownDirect.

    3.7 Intercityrail

    Figure16NewYorkPennStationplatform

    Amtrakprovides longdistancepassengerrailconnections fromNewYorkPennStationtoBoston,Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New England, Upstate New York, Montreal, Toronto,Florida,Atlanta,NewOrleans,ChicagoandtheMidwest.Fortripsoflessthan500miles,Amtrakisoftencheaperandeasierthanairtravel,andsometimesfasteriftraveltoandfromtheairportandsecuritycheckintimesare included.Amtrak'shighspeedAcelaservicefromNewYorktoBoston,Philadelphia,Baltimore,andWashingtonusestiltingtechnologyandfastelectriclocomotives.Thisroute,knownastheNortheastCorridor,accountsforabouthalfofAmtrak'sridershipandcoversitsownoperating,butnotcapital,costs.

    3.8 OthertransitOthertransitinthecityincludes:

    TheRooseveltIslandTramway,anaerialcommutertramconnectingManhattantoRooseveltIsland.Connecting"RedBus"serviceisavailableontheIsland.

  • The Staten Island Ferry, a free ferry operated by the New York City Department ofTransportationconnectingSt.GeorgeandtheStatenIslandRailwayinStatenIslandtoSouthFerryinManhattan.

    NYWaterway,LibertyWaterTaxi,NewYorkWaterTaxi,NYWaterway,andSeaStreak,areprivatelyoperatedferrysystemswithservicetoHudsonCounty,Brooklyn,Queens,andtheRaritanBayshore.

    TheBeeLineBusSystem,connectingtheBronxandWestchesterCounty. NassauInterCountyExpress,abussystemoperatedbyVeoliaTransportationthatconnects

    QueensandNassauCounty.Until2012,itwasoperatedbytheMTAunderthebrandLongIslandBus.

    TheDowntownConnection,afreeshuttlebusserviceinLowerManhattanoperatedbytheDowntownAlliance.

    CoachUSAandAtlanticExpressprivatelyoperatedcommuterbuslineswithservicetoNewJersey.Severalprivatebuscompaniesalsooperateshuttlestoareaairports.

    US Helicopter, a private scheduled helicopter service operating from the DowntownManhattanHeliportandthe34thStreetHeliporttoareaairportsandConnecticut.

    Private Transportation operates a bus route (labeled B110) between Borough Park andWilliamsburginBrooklyn.

    DollarvansoperateintheboroughsoutsideManhattanandinNewJersey.

    3.9 MajortransitterminalsThere are several major transit terminals in the New Yorkmetropolitan area. They include trainstations,busterminals,andferrylandings.

    3.9.1 Trainstations PennsylvaniaStation,whichisservedbyAmtrak,LongIslandRailRoad,NewJerseyTransit,

    andtheNewYorkCitySubway Grand Central Terminal, which is served byMetroNorth Railroad and the New York City

    Subway JamaicaStation,whichisservedbyLongIslandRailRoad,NewYorkCitySubway,andAirTrain

    JFK AtlanticTerminal,whichisservedbytheNewYorkCitySubwayandLongIslandRailRoad Hoboken Terminal, which is served by New Jersey Transit, MetroNorth Railroad, Port

    AuthorityTransHudson,HudsonBergenLightRail,andNYWaterway

  • 3.9.2 Busterminals PortAuthorityBusTerminal,servedbycommuterandintercitybuses GeorgeWashingtonBridgeBusStation,alsoservedbycommuterandsomeintercitybuses Chinatown,includingthecornerofEastBroadwayandForsythStreet,whereseveralintercity

    Chinatownbuseshaveacommonterminus.

    3.9.3 Ferrylandings East34thStreetFerryLanding,servedbyNYWaterwayandSeaStreak SouthStreetSeaport,servedbyNewYorkWaterTaxi St.GeorgeFerryTerminal,servedbytheStatenIslandFerry Pier11/WallStreet,servedbyNewYorkWaterTaxi,NYWaterway,andSeaStreak WestMidtownFerryTerminal,servedNYWaterway WhitehallTerminal(SouthFerry),servedbytheStatenIslandFerry BatteryParkCityFerryTerminal,neartheWorldFinancialCenter,servedbyNYWaterway,

    LibertyWaterTaxi,NewYorkWaterTaxi FultonSlip RedHook

  • 4 AUSTRALIA4.1 Melbourne:PublicTransportation4.2 AirportArrivalsMelbourne'sTullamarineInternationalAirportissituated21Kilometresfromthecitycentre.

    AtaxitoorfromtheCitymaybeexpectedtocostbetweenA$50and$60,dependingonthetrafficandtimeofdayashigherchargesaremadeatnight.TraveltimetothecityCBDisnormallyabout20to30minutes,butduringpeakperiodscanbeabove50minutes.

    WhileMelbournehasanimpressivemetropolitanpublictransportationsystem,itis,unfortunately,oneofadecreasingnumberofmajorcitiesonearthwithoutaraillinebetweentheairportandthecity,Thereis,however,Route901SmartBusthatnowdepartsfromanundercoverbusinterchangelocatedatdomesticTerminalFour(T4)every15minutesonweekdaysuntil2100hoursandlateronweekdaysandallweekendshasahalfhourlyfrequency.

    T4businterchangeislocatedapproximately10minuteswalkfromT1,socustomersareremindedtoplanaheadandconsidertheaditionaltimerequitedtoaccessT1,T2orT3fromT4.

    From1January2015,faresareA$3.76(adultfare)foraonewaytripusingamykismartcard(purchasetheseattheairportforA$6adults;A$3concession).TravellerstransfertoandfromfrequentMetrosuburbantrainsatBroadmeadowsrailwaystation,Seewww.ptv.vic.gov.au

    There is also the SkyBus that offers transport from and to Melbourne Airport and a major CityinterchangepointattheSouthernCrossrailwaystationbusinterchange(nearthecornerofBourkeandSpencerStreets)for$18peradultoneway($30return).AbenefitofusingSkyBusistheSkyBusHotel Transfer Service, which, at no additional charge, can transport SkyBus users from and toSouthernCrossstationbusinterchangeanddropoffpointsatornearmostcityaccommodation.Thistransferdoesnotrun24hoursaday.

    TherearealsomanyprivatebusesofferingtransportbetweentheAirportandthedistrictsaroundMelbourne, (including the nearby suburban and the [not sonear] country areas fromwhich theyoriginate.)Therearealsoanumberofshuttlebusesthatrundirectlyfromtheairporttoinnercityhotels, avoiding the need to change busses at Southern Cross station. They depart fromdepartureZoneL,whichisa10metrewalkfromtheSkyBusdeparturepoint,outsidetheinternationalterminal.TheshuttlebussesservealargerareaoftheinnercitythanSkyBus,somaybeusefulforpeoplenotstayinginCBDhotelsorwhodonotwishtochangebuses.Pricesrangefrom$18to$25

  • depending on the location. The twomain tourist shuttle companies are Starbus and VHAAirportShuttle.

    Fortravelonthepublictransportnetwork,fullfaremykismartcards(seebelow)canbepurchasedandtheirstoredvaluetoppedupatmachinesinstalledinTerminals2,3and4.

    VisitorsmaypurchaseamykiVisitorValuePackfromtheSkyBusTerminalsatMelbourneAirportandtheBestofVictoriaInformationBoothintheinternationalarrivalshall.Concession,ChildorAustralianSeniorsmykiVisitorValuePacksmayalsobepurchasedattheseoutlets.

    Full fare myki cards may be purchased from drivers and used on bus routes 901 (SmartBus toFrankston)or localarearoutes478 (MooneePonds),479(SunburytoMooneePonds)thatserveMelbourne'sTullamarineAirport andnowdepart fromanundercoverbus interchange locatedatdomesticTerminalFour

    As noted above, buses on the 901 route run every 15minutes onweekdays and 30minutes onweekends, connecting with Metro trains at Broadmeadows railway station. This is a cheaperalternativetotheSkyBus,althoughtotaltraveltimestotheCitywillbeatleasttwiceaslongduringthe offpeak, but often very competitive during peak periods because of road traffic congestionadverselyaffectingSkybus.Seewww.ptv.vic.gov.au

    4.3 CruiseShipArrivalsForcruiseshippassengersarrivingatStationPier,mykismartcards(seebelow)canbepurchasedattheBeaconCoveIGAsupermarketbesidethePortMelbournetramstopacrossfromStationPier.mykiVisitorValuePacksmaybeavailableatacountersetupinsidethecruiseterminal.The109istheonlytramroutefromandtoStationPierandwilltakeyouintotheCBD.Thereturnjourneymaybemadeon the 109 tram from stops in Collins St, with the tram's destination indicated as being to PortMelbourne.

    AtaxifromStationPiertoFederationSquare,attheedgeoftheCBD,shouldcostapproximately$12.Hence,takingtaxisinbothdirectionsmaybeslightlycheaperforacouplethanthepurchaseoftwomykicards,andevenlessiftheycanshareataxiride.Rememberthat,apartfromthefreeCityCircletramrouteandthefreeCBDtramzone(thelatterintroducedon1January2015),amykicardwillbenecessaryif,laterintheday,youintendtousepublictransporttotravelwithinoroutsidetheCBD.

    4.4 PublicTransportIn general,Melbourne's Public Transport is efficient, inexpensive, safe and extensive. The systemcomprisestrains,busesandtrams(includingtwoconversionsofformerraillinesthatarenowakinto'lightrail').Tramscrisscrossthecityandareprobablywhatyouwillusemost,unlessyouheadoutto

  • theoutersuburbs;onweekdaysyoucanexpectatramevery312minutes,onweekendsaboutevery1215minutesuntilnightfallwhen20minutesisatypicalwait.ThefreeCityCircletramgoesaroundtheCentralBusinessDistrict,includingDocklandswhiletravelonothertrams(butnotbusesortherailwayCityLoop)isnowfreewithininMelbourne'sCBD.

    Allrailwaystationplatformsareaccessiblebyeitherrampsorliftssometimesboth.Citystationsandsomenewerorbusiersuburbanstationsarealsoequippedwithescalators.Hence,youshouldneverneedtocarryluggageonastaircasestillanunfortunatenecessityinsomeothercities.

    4.5 CentralBusinessDistrict(CBD)FreeTramTravelZoneTramtravel[butNOTtravelonbusesandtrains]isnowfreewithintheMelbourne"CBD".ThisCBDfreetravelzoneisanareaapproximatelyboundedby,FlindersStreet,SpringStreet,LaTrobeStreetandextendingtotheDocklandswaterfront,plusthetramroutes inSwanstonStreetandElizabethStreetuptoVictoriaStreetwheretheQueenVictoriaMarketislocated.

    IftravellingwhollywithintheCBDfreetravelzonedoNOTtouchonwithamiki.Ifyoudotouchon,yourcardwillbedebitedwiththeminimumtwohourcharge,eventhoughtravelwithinthiszoneisostensibly"free".(Thisappearstobeafailureonthepartofthosewhohaveprogrammedthemykisystembut,asyet,therehasbeennoplanannouncedtorectifythisdefect.)

    4.6 FaresandthemykiSmartcardThepublic transportnetwork isdivided into two fare zones. Zone1covers all the inner suburbs,(virtually)allofthetramnetworkandextendsapproximately1015KilometresoutfromtheCentralBusinessDistrict(CBD).ThemiddleandoutersuburbsarewithinZone2,butfrom1January2015travel across the twozonesbecamecheaperasaZone1plus2 twohour,dailyorperiodical farebecamethesameasastandaloneZone1fare.TheevencheaperZone2fareshavebeenretainedforlocalmiddledistanceandoutersuburbantravel.

    ThepublictransportfaresysteminMelbourne(andextendedtotheV/Lineshortdistancerailcountrycommuter belt, but not to the longer distance train lines or connecting V/Line coaches) uses asmartcardknownasmyki(pronounced'mykey').ThisiscomparabletothevarioussmartcardsusedinLondon,HongKong,SingaporeandsomeUSAcities.ThereisanonrefundableupfrontcostforthemykicardofA$6foradultsandA$3forconcessionholders(typicallychildren,AustralianSeniors,students and Australian welfare recipients). Adult "Senior" overseas visitors are not eligible forconcessionfares.Astheupfrontcostisnotrefundable,thisdiffersfromsomeoverseassystems..

    ItmustbeemphasisedthatnosinglejourneyticketsareavailablesoamykistoredvaluesmartcardmustbeusedforeventheshortestjourneyonpublictransportexceptintheCBDfreetravelzone.

  • Also,sinceamykicardandthecreditonitisnotrefundable,unlikeinsomeothersystems,avisitormayneedtoleave"MarvellousMelbourne"withtheirmykicardandthe"value"storedthereinasa"souvenir".

    Mykicardscanbepurchasedand"toppedup"atabout800retailers,includingall7Elevenstores,theticketofficewindowat"Premium"stations(thosestaffedforalltrainswhichincludeallstationsintheCBD),staffedV/Linecommuterrailwaystationsorfromabluemykicardvendingmachinelocatedatalltrainstationsandatmajortramandbusinterchanges.(Whilethemachinesissueonlyfullfaremykicardstheymaybeusedtotopupanymykicard.TheyacceptmostAustraliancoins,Australiancurrencynotesupto$50plusmajorcreditanddebitcards.)

    Theminimum top up value is $1, except online where theminimum top up value is $10. Themaximumtopupvalueis$250

    Theycanalsobepurchasedandtoppedup(withcashonly)onMelbournemetropolitanandprovincialcityroutebuses,includingonbusroutes901(SmartBus),478,479and500thatserveMelbourne'sTullamarine Airport that now departs from an undercover bus interchange located at domesticTerminalFour(T4).

    The 901 route runs every 15minutes onweekdays until 2100 and half hourly onweekends andbetween2100 and aboutmidnightonweekdays, connectingwithMetro trains atBroadmeadowsrailwaystation.WhilethisisacheaperalternativetotheSkyBus,ajourneytotheCBDmaytaketwotothreetimesaslong,exceptduringpeakperiodswhenthetollwayandfreewayusedbySkyBuscanbecomeextremelycongested.Seehttp://ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables

    Mykicardscannotbepurchasedonboardtramsoratmosttramstops.Inthesuburbs,anagentmaybehardtofindifyouarestayingatafriendorrelative'splaceandwanttotravelintoMelbourne'sCBDbytram.Insuchcases,anoptionistopurchaseatmykionlinebeforeyourvisitandtohaveacardpostedtoyourhomeortoyourfriend/relative'saddress.

    Mykismartcardscanbeusedonanyofthethreetypesoftransport(bus,tramandtrain)andarevalidforunlimitedtravel(includingtransfersandreturnjourneys)withinatwohourperiod,adayorweek(called'7days'inthemykibrochures).HoldersofAustralianSeniors'cardsreceivediscounteddailytravel.Seniors'mykicardsarevalidanywhereonthepublictransportsystem,exceptSkybus.

    Asaguide,from1January2015thecostoftravelinZone1(adultfare)variesfrom$3.76fortwohoursto$7.52foralldaytravel(i.e.Morethanasingletwohourperiod.).ThiscomparesfavourablywiththecostofpurchasingAllDaytravelpassesinmanyothercitiesandthemaximumchargeisleviedonlyifyourmikiisusedformorethanasingletwohourperiod.

  • On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays themaximum daily fare for any adult fare passengeranywhereinMelbourneis$6.00.

    Ifyoutopupthroughthemykitelephonecallcentre(1800800007)orthroughonlinemeansbutthendonotuseitonthetransportsystemfor90days,thattopupcreditwillbearchivedandwillbeunavailableforuseatamykiterminaluntilabout24hours(atleast)haselapsedafteryouthenusethecardagainforthefirsttimeafterthisperiod.Thisshouldnotcausesinglevisittouristsaproblembutitshouldberememberedbyregularvisitors.

    (Thereasonforthisisthatitisnecessaryforthevalueconcernedtobestoredonthemykicardaswellasbeingknowntothesystem.Theonlywayinwhichthevalueonthemikicardcanbeupdatedistophysicallypresentittoanupdatingdevice/terminal.)

    4.7 MykiVisitorValuePackAfurtheroptionforvisitorsisamykiVisitorValuePack,whichincludesdiscountstovariousMelbourneattractions. These are available from the SkyBus terminals atMelbourneAirport, SouthernCrossrailwaystationandtheMelbourneVisitorCentreatFederationSquare.Pleasenotethatmykicardscannot be used on the commercial service provided by Skybus to and from Melbourne Airport.However,mykicardsarevalidontheslowerlocalbusesandonthesemifastandfrequentRoute901SmartBus,whichnowarrivesanddepartsfromanundercoverbus interchangelocatedatdomesticTerminalFour(T4),:seewww.ptv.vic.gov.au

    ThemykiVisitorValuePackshouldalsobeavailablefromtheconciergeatanygoodHotelandalsoatBackpackersHostels.

    TheVisitorPackincludes:

    *afullfare(orconcession/child/Australianseniors)mykicard,preloadedwithenoughvalue(mykimoney)foronedaystravelinZone1,whichincludestheentiretramnetwork.

    * discount offers at 15 attractions includingMelbourne Aquarium, the National Sports Museum,EurekaSkydeckandPuffingBilly,possiblysavingvisitorsuptomorethan$130

    *aprotectivemykiwalletdesignedbyarenownedMelbournecartoonistMarkKnight

    *apublictransportmapandinformationonhowtousemyki.

    AfullfaremykiVisitorPackcosts$14andincludes$8mykimoneyfortravel.

    Aconcession,childorAustralianseniorsmykiVisitorPackcosts$7andincludes$4mykimoneyfortravel.

  • 4.8 UsingtheSystemAsnotedabove,IftravellingwhollywithintheCBDfree(tram)travelzonethereisnoneedtohaveoruseamyki.However,ifyoudohaveone,doNOTtouchon,becauseyouWILLbechargedifyoudo.

    OutsidetheCBDfree(tram)travelzone,thereisnoneedtoworryaboutzoneboundariesorhowlongyouhavetravelled,sincethemykisystemautomaticallycalculatesthe"bestavailable"fareforyourjourney.

    ExceptfortravelwhollywithintheCBDfreetravelzone,wheneveryoutravel,youmustvalidateyourmykiatarailwaystationbarrierorreader,oronboardatramorbus,bytouchingon."From1January2015withthemergingofZones1and2,itisnolongerbenecessarytotouchoffonbuses,tramsoratrailwaystationsunlessyouaremakingalocalZone2onlyjourneyoraV/Linetrip.

    Ifindoubt,alwaystouchoff.

    Onbuses,youneedtotouchonwithyourmykiatalimegreencoloured"reader"nearthefrontentrancedoor,closetothedriver. (Theremaybetwoofthesereadersatabusentrancedoor.)Busesshouldbeenteredonlyviathefrontentrancedoorandshouldbeexitedviatherearexitdoor,"touchingoff"atoneofthe"readers"nearthisexitdoor.Thisallowsthefreemovementofpassengersattemptingtoenteratthesametimeasothersareleaving.

    Ontrams,thereareseverallimegreencolouredreadersneareachdoor.Atrailwaystations,therearemykireadersorbarriersattheentrancesandexits.Remembertotouchonandtouchoffeachtime.Thisenablesthemykisystemcomputerstocalculatethelowestfareforthetimeandzonesyouhavetravelled.

    Whentouchingonoroff,holdthecardagainstthelowerpartofthereaderforafewseconds,untilyouhearabeep"ortwo"beeps"ifa"concession"cardisbeingused.Thedisplaywill(verybriefly)showthecurrentvalueonthecardplus, ifyoutouchoff,thecostofthejourneyyouhavejustcompleted.Atrailwaystationsthebarrier(ifany)willthenopen.

    Donotswipeormerelytapthecardagainstthereader,asthiswillnotgivesufficienttimetocompletethetransaction.

    Beawarethatyourmykicardmusthaveapositivebalanceforyoutocommenceyourjourneyeachtime.So,ifyouknowthatyourbalanceissmall,checkhowmuchisdeductedforeachjourney.

    Atwohourjourneypurchasedbytouchingonyourloadedmykiintheeveningafter6pm(1800)isvalidfortheremainderofthenight.

  • After(approximately)midnightSundayThursday,youmayneedtohailataxi,sincepublictransportstops running after (roughly) midnight. Public transport FROM the city runs until about 0100.However,throughtheearlyhoursonSaturdaysandSundaysthereareNightRiderbusesavailable(alldeparting fromSwanstonStreetnearStPaul'sCathedral). Myki isvalid forNightRiderbuses. (Seehttp://ptv.vic.gov.au/gettingaround/...

    FareevasionhasbeenrampantinMelbourne.Visitorsmaybetemptedtotrytogetawaywithouthavingavalidatedmyki card,especiallyon the trams. Beaware that if youget caughtwithout avalidatedmykiwheninspectorsdoaspotcheck,thereiszerotoleranceandyouwillhavetopayaheftyfineof$217.Givinganinspector(knownasan"authorisedofficer")thetouristexcuseof"Ididnotknow"maynotgetyouveryfar.TheVictorianGovernmenthasmadeitclearthatfareevasionhas a serious adverse effect on the State's finances, hence the "zero tolerance" policy. However,authorisedofficershavea job todoand theyarenomore invasiveoroppressive than inanycityelsewhereintheworld.

    Havingsaidthat,Melbourne'spublictransportshouldmeettheneedsofmostvisitorsandisagoodwayofseeingthecity,withsomeoneelsedoingthedriving.

    GeneralInformation

    ManyofthesightsandplacesofinterestinMelbourneareeasilywithinwalkingdistanceofeachother.So,ifyouareseekingtosavemoneyorsimplytohavesomeexerciseafteranightofdrinkingandnoshingonmeatpies,getoutandwalk.Therereallyisnobetterwaytogetafeelforanewplacethanbyexploringonfoot,becauseyou'reincontrolandcanstopwheneveryoulikeorcheckoutthehiddensmallsidestreetsandalleyswhichaboundinMelbourne.

    Another good thing todo is toexploreMelbourne citybyusing oneof the tourist transportationservices.TrytheMelbourneVisitorsShuttle,operatingdailyevery15minutesfrom10am(1000)to4pm(1600)andvisiting15interestingstopsaroundMelbourne.Youcangetonandoffatanyoneofthesestops.AskattheInformationCentreatFederationSquareforabrochuredetailingtheplacesof interestordownloadoneonline. (Seehttp://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/visi...However, thisbusservicenowhasa$5alldayfareforAdults,butChildren(undertenyearsofage)cantravelforfree.

    TheCityCirclefreetram(route35)doesacircuitofMelbourneandalsohasacommentary. Hereagain,youcanalightatanyplaceofinterest.TheCityCircletramsareoldWClasstypeswithsomeofthemnowbeingmorethan70yearsold.Therouteisusuallybusyandthetramscanbecrowded.Abrochureisalsoavailableforthis,oryoucanlookattheroutesandtimetablesonline.

  • FormoredetailedinformationofpublictransportinMelbournepleaserefertowww.ptv.vic.gov.auwhichmayassistyouinplanningyourjourneys.

    TheintroductionofthemykismartcardpublictransportfaresysteminVictoriahasbeencontroversialbutitnowseemstoworkwell.FareevasionhasbecomepartoftheMelbourneculturebutvisitorsarestronglyadvisednottobetemptedtofollowthepracticesofsomeofthelocals,becausethereareregularinspectionsonandoffthevehiclesandthefinesaresevere.Havingsaidthat,Melbourne'spublictransportsystemshouldmeettheneedsofmostvisitorsandisagoodwayofseeingthecity,withsomeoneelsedoingthedriving!

    Melbourneisgenerallyasafecityandtherearenoareasintowhichvisitorswouldbeadvisednottoventure. However,by internationalstandards,Melbourne isaspreadoutcity withparklandandopenareas.Therefore,itiswisetobeawareofwhatmaybegoingonaroundyou,withoutbeingtooconcerned.

    PublictransportcanbeanexcellentwayofseeingMelbournewithouthavingtoworryabouttheoftenhorrendousroadtrafficcongestion.

    Visitorsshouldnotethat,incommonwithothertransportsystems,maintenanceandimprovementofpublictransport(androad)infrastructureoftentakesplaceintheSummerholidayperiod.Thismayresultinthecurtailmentofservices,delaysandthereplacementofTrainorTramservicesbyBusesasatemporarymeasure. InMelbourne,thisperiodoccursafterChristmasand,often,throughoutmostofJanuary.

    Figure17MelbourneRail&TrampMapSource:http://www.mappery.com/maps/MelbourneAustraliaPublicTransportationMap2.gif