Returning to the office?

Image is a landscape orientation colour photograph showing passengers travelling on a tram. A person in a red and black checkered shirt stands to the left of the image holding onto a yellow hanging strap. They have short black hair and are wearing dark-framed glasses. A person standing to the right of the image has a red beard and medium-length red hair. They are wearing glasses and a grey hoodie and are looking down at the mobile phone in their hands. Several other people can be seen in the image – their backs to the camera. All of the passengers are wearing facemasks as they travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have been working from home and are returning to the office on public transport, it is good idea to plan before you travel.

There have been some changes to the transport network and myki fares while you’ve been working from home, and isolation requirements may impact services. Before you travel, make sure you check the timetable and your myki balance, and don’t forget your mask! Here are some quick tips for your return to the network:

Check your myki

Check that your myki is still current and has enough value on it to complete your journey. There are cashless ways to top up like the PTV app. If your myki has expired, you can get a free replacement and the balance transferred to a new card. If you had myki funds that you didn’t use because you were working from home, you should talk to PTV about if you can get a refund or reimbursement.

Find out if there have been changes to services

Services may have changes, or some services may be cancelled depending on staff availability. You may need to allow more time for your travel. Consult the PTV journey planner, call the PTV contact centre on 1800 800 007, or use the PTV app to find out what to expect.

There have been some changes to myki – fares increased on 1 January 2022, and you can no longer top up your myki on a bus.

Remember your mask

It is a requirement to wear a fitted face mask covering your nose and mouth unless a medical exemption applies. Authorised Officers are on the network checking for valid tickets and enforcing mask compliance.

For more travel tips, see the PTV website.

Image is a landscape orientation colour photograph showing Public Transport Ombudsman, Simon McKenzie, waiting at a tram stop in the Melbourne CBD. Simon is a middle-aged Caucasian man with closely cropped grey hair. He is wearing a white facemask and a black puffer vest over a light blue shirt that is open at the collar and rolled-up at the sleeves. He holds some papers in his hands in front of him. In the background and to his left are two trams. The background of the image is blurred from the camera’s depth-of-field.

Public Transport Ombudsman Simon McKenzie (pictured above) says:

“There are a few more things to remember before we travel on public transport these days. I suggest checking that you have the right myki, your mask and pre-plan if you can.”

We’re here if you need us

If you have a complaint about your experience on public transport, you can complain to the operator directly or through the PTV contact centre. If your complaint remains unresolved, or you are dissatisfied with the way your complaint is handled – give us a call on 1800 466 865.

We can also be contacted via our online complaint form or you can send us a message via Facebook.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment you can contact us via The National Relay Service. If you speak a language other than English, you can contact us via the Translating and Interpreting Service.

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