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[title]Being able to get a seat (and even better, an entire row to yourself) is the dream for public transport passengers. And Public Transport Victoria has made it easy to achieve that dream day in, day out with a new service that will let you know just how busy the trains are, in real time.
It's pretty simple. Head to PTV's new RideSpace website and you can see how busy a train station, individual platform or even a single train is. You can see whether your train will be 'very quiet' (few passengers, time to bring out that laptop and work on that screenplay you're writing), 'quiet' (you'll probably get a seat, but probably not a row), 'busy' (seats might be thin on the ground, so if you are lucky enough to snag one stay vigilant in case you have the chance to offer it to someone who needs it more than you) or 'very busy' (build that core strength as you stand).
Did you know that RideSpace's live passenger data is now also displayed on Google Maps? In addition to a heads-up on crowded services, real-time arrival and departure information is also be available on Google Maps, which includes live vehicle tracking for metropolitan trains. Previously, this data was based on timetables and did not show unplanned disruptions or delays (and was only available on the PTV app).
Unsurprisingly, trains at peak times are most likely to be busy or very busy, so if you can, try to travel at off-peak times (between 9.30am and 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays). There's another big advantage to off-peak travel, too – it's heaps cheaper. Until the end of April 2021, you'll save 30 per cent on off-peak travel if you use myki Money. Want to save even more? If you touch off before 7.15am, your trip is completely free. Yes, free. And that early bird fare is in place all year round.
If you need to travel during peak times, though, that doesn't mean you necessarily have to wear your comfiest shoes for a stand-up commute. Public Transport Victoria has introduced a whopping 450 extra weekly services, so trains are far less crowded than they were in the Beforetime. Now you have no excuse not to finish that screenplay.