- Metlink
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Metlink Victoria Proprietary Limited 
Type Private Industry Public transport Founded 2003 Headquarters Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Area served Metropolitan Melbourne Website www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au - This article is about the Melbourne public transport network. The same name is also used for public transport in Wellington.
Metlink, formerly The Met, is the marketing body and umbrella brand for public train, tram and bus transport operators in Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Contents
Responsibilities
The Met logo, the previous umbrella brand for metropolitan transport in Melbourne, in the 1980s and 1990s
Metlink is responsible for the promotion of travel by public transport. It publishes timetables, maps and guides, operates the multi-modal website www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au, provides a journey planner, call centre, market research and data collection. Metlink also accepts and processes customer feedback, and tracks lost property.[1]
As well as re-branding the network, the Metlink initiative was intended to better integrate information about train, tram and bus transport in Melbourne, and therefore provide passengers with more information about connecting services.
During the re-privatisation of Melbourne's public transport system in April, 2004, the Metlink brand was transferred to a new company, Metlink Victoria Pty Ltd, whose role is also to perform several minor functions previously performed by the State Government and the franchise operators. Its ownership was then handed over to the two remaining major operators - Yarra Trams and Metro Trains Melbourne. While they do not have a controlling interest, representatives of the Bus Association of Victoria and V/Line have input into Metlink.
Metlink also has responsibility for the Revenue Clearing House, the passenger information website (formerly Victrip), the 131 638 (131 MET) telephone service and the Met Shop.
Branding
A diagram of a CRT PID screen pair
Metlink signage colour coded by transport modeMetlink has developed a master style guide for timetables, maps and other customer information, to complement the graphic design style of signage. The Metlink brand signage was implemented in 2003, with railway stations, tram and bus stops throughout Melbourne converted to Metlink-branded signage,[2] replacing the inconsistent signage previously used by the various (some now defunct) public transport operators.[3][4]
Under the Metlink branding system, railway station signage and timetables are colour-coded Blue, tram stop signs and timetables are colour-coded Green, and the bus network is colour-coded Orange. Additionally, the regional train and coach network is colour-coded Purple.
Marketing
Metlink also acts as a marketing entity for public transport, and has released several TV advertisements. However, this is not an exclusive arrangement, as a separate set of TV advertisements was produced by former train operator Connex (featuring Sheena Easton and a trainload of passengers singing her 1980 hit Morning Train (9 to 5)) during April and May 2004. In mid-2005 Connex launched another independent print & TV advertising campaign, this time focusing on its safety initiatives, and featuring Humpty Dumpty. In 2006, Connex launched a TV campaign Don't Hold Others Back focusing on encouraging courtesy on the Melbourne Rail Network.
Metlink has also been active in encouraging use of 'value Metcards' (pre-purchased multi-trip and periodical tickets) and is known for running a "humorous" campaign called BATBYGOBSTOPL (Buying A Ticket Before You Get On Board Saves Time Or Problems Later). In July 2007, Metlink launched a new campaign, "I Highly Recommend You Get on the Bus", featuring musical comedian Frank Woodley, to promote improvements in bus services and more recently the "Take it Easy, Take the bus" campaign.[5]
Viclink
Victoria's regional bus and rail services will at some future date be brought under a similar brand to Metlink named Viclink. Signage upgrades at regional railway stations have started from October 2006.[6]
Legislation and governance
Transport Integration Act
The prime transport-related statute in Victoria is the Transport Integration Act. The Act establishes the Department of Transport as the integration agency for Victoria's transport system. The Act also establishes and sets the charters of the State agencies charged with providing public transport rail services and managing network access for freight services, namely the Director of Public Transport and V/Line. In addition, the Act establishes VicTrack which owns the public rail network and associated infrastructure. Another important statute is the Rail Management Act 1996[7] which confers powers on rail operators and provides for an access scheme for the state's rail network.
Rail Safety Act
The safety of rail transport operations in Melbourne is regulated by the Rail Safety Act 2006 which applies to all commercial passenger operations.[8] The Act establishes a framework containing safety duties for all rail industry participants and requires operators who manage infrastructure and rolling stock to obtain accreditation prior to commencing operations. Accredited operators are also required to have a safety management system to guide their operations. Sanctions applying to the safety scheme established under the Rail Safety Act are contained in the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983.[9] The safety regulator for the rail system in Melbourne including trams is the Director, Transport Safety (trading as Transport Safety Victoria) whose office is established under the Transport Integration Act 2010.
Ticketing and conduct
Ticketing requirements for trains, trams and buses in Melbourne are mainly contained in the Transport (Ticketing) Regulations 2006[10] and the Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual.[11] Rules about safe and fair conduct on trains, trams and buses in Melbourne are generally contained in the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983[12] and the Transport (Conduct) Regulations 2005.[13]
See also
- Rail transport in Victoria
- Railways in Melbourne
- Trams in Melbourne
- Buses in Melbourne
- Transport Legislation Review
- Transport Integration Act
- Director of Public Transport
- Director, Transport Safety
- Chief Investigator, Transport Safety
- Department of Transport
- Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983
- Safety
References
- ^ About Metlink
- ^ The Age: 'Transport goes back to the future' - June 10 2003
- ^ The Age: 'Metlink brand cleans up public transport's image' - July 25, 2005
- ^ The Age: 'Can't find platform 4, Flinders Street? Try Warrandyte' - October 25, 2004
- ^ Metlink highly recommends you get on the bus
- ^ Railpage: Viclinking V/Line Stations
- ^ Rail Management Act 1996
- ^ Official copy of the Rail Safety Act from the Victorian Government legislation web site - http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt3.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/6D4190C62DE6207FCA257761002C568A/$FILE/06-9a016.pdf
- ^ See Part 7 of the Act. Official copy of the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 from the official Victorian Government legislation site - http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt5.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/7BB774D3E0245B77CA2577CE00030B90/$FILE/83-9921a153.pdf
- ^ Transport (Ticketing) Regulations 2006
- ^ Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual - Metlink - Your guide to public transport in Melbourne and Victoria
- ^ Victorian Law Today Act
- ^ Victorian Law Today Statutory Rule
External links
Melbourne's public transport - Metlink Modes and network Ticketing Metropolitan rail operators Metro Trains Melbourne (heavy rail) • KDR Melbourne - Yarra Trams (tram/light rail)Regional rail operators V/Line (heavy rail)Metropolitan and regional bus operators Broadmeadows Bus Service • Cardinia Transit • Cranbourne Transit • Driver Bus Lines • Dyson's Bus Services • Eastrans • East West Bus Company • Grenda's • Hope Street Bus Line • Invicta Bus Services • Ivanhoe Bus Company • Kastoria Bus Lines • Martyrs Bus Service • Melbourne Bus Link • McKenzie's • Moonee Valley • Moorabbin Transit • Moreland Buslines • NationalBus • Panorama Coaches • Peninsula Bus Lines • Portsea • Reservoir • Ryan Brothers Bus Service • Sita Buslines • Skybus Super Shuttle • Sunbury Bus Service • Tullamarine Bus Lines • US Bus Lines • Ventura Bus Lines • WestransPlanned infrastructure Melbourne Metro • Regional Rail Link • Proposed Rail ExtensionsAuthorities Categories:- Public transport in Melbourne
- Intermodal transport authorities
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