Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas today welcomed the announcement that 24 hour public transport is coming to our local area. From 1 January 2016, the Andrews Labor Government will trial all-night public transport on weekends – delivering a key election commitment.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan and Minister for Police Wade Noonan have outlined details of the one-year Homesafe trial, which will get people home safe on public transport to the suburbs and regional areas.

During the trial, metro trains will depart from Flinders Street Station every 60 minutes on the Werribee line.

A revamped and improved night bus network will include 20 routes, with a mix of routes operating from the city and others providing suburban connections from train stations and from suburban night-time hubs including Dandenong and Frankston.

To support Homesafe, the Government has given Victoria Police funding for 171 extra transport security officers – 109 Protective Services Officers and 62 transit police.

The roving transit police will patrol all train lines through the night on weekends and use divisional vans to transport alleged offenders or travel quickly to where they are needed.

If successful, 24-hour weekend public transport trial will be continued and expanded where necessary.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas;

“People in our suburbs and regions shouldn’t have to spend too much for a ride home in order to enjoy our city on the weekends.”

“Locals in Wyndham will be able to enjoy Melbourne’s great night life or end a late-night shift, and then have a safe and affordable way to get home.”