Metro To Operate 24 Hour Trains On Nye

29 December 2009

METRO TO OPERATE 24-HOUR TRAINS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

A focus on safety plus plenty of trains and customer service staff are the ingredients for a
successful New Year's Eve, according to new train operator, Metro.

Just four weeks into their franchise, Metro is preparing for its first New Year's Eve, by
scheduling an 277 extra train services, which will run in addition to the 2,030 normal
scheduled services.

"We're committed to delivering the highest quality service on our inaugural New Year's Eve in
Melbourne," said CEO Andrew Lezala.

"In order to be able to run trains non-stop all night on New Year's Eve, we're rostering 74
extra drivers and calling on all our maintenance crews to be at the ready," he said.

"Being synchronised with the rhythms of Melbourne's events was a cornerstone of our proposal
to the Government, and what better occasion is there to demonstrate this," said Mr Lezala.

All-night services will run in and out of the city across all lines right through until the first
regular timetabled service on 1 January 2010, which is the 4.58am from Flinders Street to
Cranbourne. The last `special' New Years Eve train is the 4.37am from Flinders Street to
Hurstbridge

To help manage the hundreds of thousands of people expected to arrive in the city by train,
200 Customer Service staff and Authorised Officers will be positioned at Flinders Street
Station, Richmond, Jolimont and Southern Cross.

"Our Authorised Officers will be working closely with the Transit Police and other authorities to
ensure our customers have a safe and enjoyable journey to and from their celebrations," said
Mr Lezala.

Those heading to the new location for the 9.15pm `family' fireworks at Yarra Park (located
between the MCG and Wellington Parade) will be able to avoid the crowds at Flinders Street
Station, with Richmond and Jolimont stations just walking distance from Yarra Park.

Standby buses and bus drivers will also be at four key locations around Melbourne in the event
of any disruptions.

"2010 is a pivotal year for us, with millions of dollars worth of infrastructure and rolling stock
upgrades planned, which will lift the reliability and punctuality of the system to a standard that
Melburnians deserve," said Mr Lezala.

Metro also reminds Melburnians and all visitors that travel is free from 6pm onwards on New
Year's Eve and the free travel continues right through to the last service of New Year's Day.
Trains on Friday 1 January will operate to a Saturday timetable.

For personalised travel advice, customers can contact Metlink on 131 638 for full details of
public transport services operating on New Years Eve.



- continues


Metro Media line: 9610 2605








Fast facts:

- 277 extra services are scheduled in addition to 2030 regular timetabled services we'll be running
trains for 24 hours straight

- 74 extra train drivers are required in addition to our regular 520 train drivers rostered on for a
`normal' weekday timetable

- Friday 1 January (New Year's Day) will run to a Saturday timetable, with the first timetabled service
scheduled for 4.58am (Flinders Street to Cranbourne)

- Public Transport is free on New Year's Eve from 6pm right through until the `last' train (4.37am to
Hurstbridge) then people will be required to have a ticket for the first service on New Year's Day
(4.58am Flinders Street to Cranbourne).

- 200 Customer Service staff and Authorised Officers will be stationed at Flinders Street, Richmond,
Jolimont and Southern Cross Stations

- 9.15pm `family' fireworks are at Yarra Park (closest stations are Jolimont and Richmond)

- Midnight `regular' fireworks are in the CBD view them from anywhere you can see the city skyline

- Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations will be open all night. City Loop stations (Flagstaff,
Parliament and Melbourne Central) close at midnight.

- NYE is our second biggest day of the year (Oak's Day is the busiest). People are using trains to get
to work during the day, but are also using them to get to NYE celebrations in the evening

- A one-way passenger flow plan will be in place at Flinders Street Station, and the
Customer Information Centre will be open until 7pm.





Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM) is a fully integrated Joint Venture (JV) between the MTR Corporation (MTR),
Hong Kong, John Holland Melbourne Rail Franchise Pty Ltd (John Holland) and United Group Rail Services Limited
(UGL Rail) established for the sole purpose of tendering, operating and maintaining the Melbourne Train Network as one
entity in partnership with the State.

The combined experience of MTR, John Holland and UGL Rail includes the operation of entire rail systems, the
successful delivery of long term service supply agreements covering rolling stock supply, maintenance and
refurbishment, rail infrastructure maintenance and renewals, and the delivery of major capital works programs.

Partner Company, MTR, is recognised as operating the best railway in the world moving around 3.7 million passengers
daily with a 99%+ on-time reliability.



- ends -







Metro Media line: 9610 2605