Coach travel free

Travel on replacement coaches between Gippsland railway stations and the city for most of December will be free including sections of the trip where passengers require to use the metropolitan public transport network.

However, Public Transport Victoria is alerting people to the need for those continuing journeys on metropolitan trains, buses or trams to get a V/Line paper tickets or metropolitan travel tokens to continue their free travel in zones one and two.

Those travelling to and from Bairnsdale will also need to book in advance their seats on the replacement buses.

There will no trains running on the Gippsland line between December 1 and 23 while construction continues on the Cranbourne and Pakenham metropolitan networks to prepare for the introduction of new High Capacity Metro trains.

Weekly or monthly myki pass holders should consider the free travel period before purchasing or activating passes.

Those that travel on active periodical myki passes will be able to claim a refund for their days of free travel.

PTV chief executive officer Jeroen Weimar said the free travel was being offered in recognition of the “unprecedented disruptions” Gippsland train users had experienced during the year due to works on the metropolitan rail network.

Trains have been replaced by buses on more than 100 days already this year.