As Melbourne continues to manage the on-going impacts of COVID-19, public transport remains an essential service.

Metro staff are out on the rail network day in, day out, making sure services are running safely and efficiently for the passengers who rely on us.

We have a responsibility to provide transport for people in essential roles – including health workers, police and emergency services, supermarket staff and those who care for our most vulnerable.

We get these people where they need to go each day. They depend on us.

Metro is running to a normal timetable with more than 2,200 services being delivered on an average weekday.

In March, 98.8 per cent of scheduled services were delivered, while 92.7 per cent of trains ran on time.

It takes an enormous team effort to keep Melbourne moving in these challenging times.

Whether it’s delivering our critical works programs, ensuring our trains and cleaned thoroughly and maintained to keep passengers safe, or delivering an exceptional service for customers.

Sandringham Line works

Metro continues to push ahead with its maintenance and renewal program, with $12 million spent every week to keep trains, equipment and technology performing at their best.

From 11pm Friday 27 March to Sunday 5 April, crews carried out works to maintain and renew track, platforms, ramps, signalling, overhead electrical works and other rail equipment at multiple locations along the Sandringham line.

During the 10-day program crews completed:

• major ramp and platform upgrades at Gardenvale Station as well as works to replace sleepers and compact rock under the tracks
• maintenance to overhead electrical lines reducing the likelihood of power faults that can delay passengers
• signal upgrades and vegetation works beside the rail line between South Yarra and Elsternwick
• safety upgrades including resurfacing works to the Black Street pedestrian bridge at Middle Brighton Station and
• level crossing renewal works at Dendy Street/New Street between Middle Brighton and Brighton Beach, and at South Road near Brighton Beach.

Enhanced cleaning measures

Increased cleaning measures have been rolled out across the rail network to protect passengers who continue to use our services.

All Metro trains undergo nightly sanitation, with touch surfaces wiped down and entire carriages and drivers’ cabins sprayed with disinfectant.

Touch surfaces on trains are also wiped down at the end of their journeys during the day.

Every night up to 1,371 train carriages are thoroughly cleaned.

We are also cleaning touch points at stations including escalator handrails, myki machines, lift buttons and ticket office counters and windows.

Cash handling

To maintain hygiene at our stations and slow the spread of coronavirus, Metro staff are no longer handling cash.

This is for the safety of our people and passengers.

The best ways for passengers to pay for their journey is to use myki vending machines, Quick Top Up Enquiry Machines or go online and top up via the PTV website.

Keeping our passengers moving

Our friendly station staff continue to bring joy to the passengers that depend on our trains every day.

Station officers Steve Gauci & Peter Holden are among those working hard to keep people smiling, whether it’s through a song on the platform, or making announcements to help people get where they need to go.