Public Transport Victoria

Brand name for public transport in Victoria, Australia

Not to be confused with the Victoria Regional Transit System in Canada.

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)

This article may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. (October 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Public Transport Victoria information has been moved into 'Transport Victoria' and the brand is being phased-out. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2025)

|

(Learn how and when to remove this message)

Public Transport Victoria

Agency overview
Formed| 2 April 2012 (2012-04-02)
Preceding agencies|

* Metlink
* Transport Ticketing Authority

Dissolved| 2025
Superseding agency|

* Transport Victoria

Type| Statutory authority
Jurisdiction| Government of Victoria
Headquarters| Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Employees| 504 (June 2018)
Minister responsible|

* Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Public and Active Transport

Agency executives|

* Jeroen Weimar, CEO (2016–2019)
* Mark Wild, CEO (2014–2016)
* Ian Dobbs, CEO (2012–2014)

Parent department| Department of Transport and Planning
Website| www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) is the brand name for public transport in the Australian state of Victoria. It was previously the trading name of the Public Transport Development Authority (PTDA), a now-defunct statutory authority in Victoria, responsible for providing, coordinating, and promoting public transport.

The PTV public transport symbols. Left to right: Metro Train, tram, bus, V/Line train, V/Line coach, ferry, and SkyBus.

PTV began operating on 2 April 2012, taking over many of the responsibilities previously exercised by the Director of Public Transport and the Department of Transport. It also took over the marketing of public transport in Victoria from Metlink and Viclink, as well as responsibility for the myki ticketing system, formerly handled by the Transport Ticketing Authority.[1][2]

PTV's functions were transferred to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) on 1 July 2019. Public transport information was transferred to 'Transport Victoria' on 6 August 2025, however PTV continues to exist as the brand for public transport services in Victoria pending the completed transition and refers to the Public Transport division of DTP.

## Governance

[edit]

PTV was the trading name of the Public Transport Development Authority (PTDA). The PTDA was established by the Transport Legislation Amendment (Public Transport Development Authority) Act 2011,[3] passed by the Parliament of Victoria in November 2011, which positioned the agency under the State's primary transport statute, the Transport Integration Act. The legislation provides that the "...primary object of the Public Transport Development Authority is to plan, coordinate, provide, operate and maintain a safe, punctual, reliable and clean public transport system....".[4]

## Key functions

[edit]

Metro Trains Melbourne HCMT 9008 at Seddon Yarra Trams E-class tram Transdev Melbourne Volgren bodied Scania K230UB in Queen Street in December 2013 V/Line VLocity train at Wyndham Vale A V/Line coach stopped at a bus rank at Sale railway stationLeaflet given to alleged fare-evaders after being booked by authorised officers

### Government expectations

[edit]

In 2011, when introducing the legislation, the Minister for Public Transport, Terry Mulder, observed that:

> "This bill is an essential step to fix the problems in Victoria's public transport system. The bill establishes a new statutory authority, the Public Transport Development Authority (PTDA), to plan, coordinate and manage all metropolitan and regional train, tram, and bus services.

> The PTDA will focus on the basics of a good public transport system.

> It will be responsible and accountable for achieving significant improvement in the reliability, efficiency, and integration of public transport services across the state.

> In a key change of focus, the new authority will put passengers first.

> It will operate as the face of public transport, providing a single shopfront for passengers and stakeholders.

> No longer will Victorians have to endure the confusion, the blame shifting, and the frustration that characterised the state's troubled public transport system over the previous decade."[5]

### Contracting activities with train, tram, and bus operators

[edit]

PTV enters into contracts with transport operators on behalf of the State to provide train, tram, and bus services throughout Victoria. The key franchise contracts which were transferred to PTV from the former Director of Public Transport relate to:

* Trains in Melbourne (contract with Metro Trains Melbourne) – covering suburban rail services in Melbourne.
* Trams in Melbourne (with Yarra Journey Makers)[6] – covering suburban tram and light rail services in Melbourne.
* Trains in regional Victoria (with V/Line Corporation) – covering train services in country Victoria.
* Bus services in Melbourne and throughout Victoria (with a large number of bus operators, and their umbrella body, the Bus Association of Victoria)[7] – covering suburban and regional bus routes, school bus services and the demand-responsive transport system FlexiRide.

VicTrack, the custodian of all rail infrastructure and assets in Victoria, leases the metropolitan train and tram infrastructure and assets to PTV through the Metropolitan Infrastructure Head Lease. PTV then sub-leases the assets to the metropolitan train and tram operators through Infrastructure Leases. PTV manages the rights and obligations contained in these leases on behalf of the State. PTV also enters into franchise agreements with the metropolitan train and tram operators that govern the provision of public transport services. The franchise agreements specify a range of operational and service requirements administered and managed by PTV.

Regional rail services operated by V/Line Corporation are subject to similar arrangements involving VicTrack and PTV. VicTrack leases the regional rail infrastructure and assets to PTV which then sub-leases them to V/Line under the Regional Infrastructure Lease. Similarly, PTV and V/Line have entered into a franchise agreement that governs the operational and service requirements for regional rail services.

## PTV's position in the transport portfolio

[edit]

PTV is one of the statutory agencies in the Victorian transport portfolio whose activities are coordinated by the Department of Transport and Planning. These agencies can be divided into three main types: statutory offices, statutory authorities, and independent transport safety agencies.

Together with the DoT, the agencies provide, manage, and regulate transport system activities in Victoria including:

* heavy and light rail systems including trains and trams
* roads systems and vehicles including cars, trucks, and bicycles
* ports and waterways including commercial ships[8] and recreational vessels
* some air transport systems.[9]

## Key people

[edit]

The inaugural chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of PTV was Ian Dobbs, who had headed the former Victorian Public Transport Corporation between 1993 and 1998.[10] On 1 February 2014, the positions of chairman and CEO were split, as provided for in the original legislation, and Mark Wild was appointed CEO of PTV, with Dobbs remaining as chairman until his appointment was not renewed.[11] Mark Wild resigned as CEO following several network failures in January 2016, and Jeroen Weimar took over as Acting CEO and was appointed to a full-time position in September 2016.[12] He remained CEO until the functions of PTV were absorbed into the Department of Transport in 2019.

PTV also had its own Board, including a community representative.[13] The board was disbanded in 2018, and an executive board replaced it until the functions of PTV passed to the Department of Transport.

## Authorised officers

[edit]

Authorised officers perform a ticket inspection role across the public transport network and have special powers on buses, trains, and trams, as well as at public transport stops and stations. They have the authority to ask to see a passenger's ticket or concession card and to confiscate tickets for use as evidence or in some cases other items. If they reasonably believe an offence has occurred, they have the authority to ask for a passenger's name, address, and proof of identity, and they can make a report to the Department of Transport and Planning and may issue a fine to the offender. Authorised officers can also arrest passengers in some circumstances but cannot use unnecessary force.[14]

The conduct of some authorised officers has been the subject of public concern due to complaints about the excessive use of force. In 2013, a 15-year-old girl was picked up and tackled after assaulting two officers due to being stopped over a ticketing offence.[15] There were 220 formal complaints about authorised officers in the 2013 financial year, compared with 138 a year earlier.[16]

## Abolition

[edit]

PTV ceased to exist as an independent entity on 30 June 2019 and merged with VicRoads as part of the creation of the new Department of Transport. A transport branding strategy was proposed to be completed before the merge took effect,[17][18][19] but no re-branding had been announced by mid-2023. PTV continues to be the brand of public transport services in Victoria. On 31 July 2025, it was announced that PTV online services would be moved to Transport Victoria.[20]

## See also

[edit]

* Transport in Australia
* Rail transport in Victoria
* Railways in Melbourne
* Roads in Victoria
* Trams in Melbourne
* Public Transport Corporation

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Ashley Gardiner (22 March 2012). "Transport bureaucrats told to hit the road". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
2. ^ "Public Transport Victoria now operating". 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
3. ^ See section 3, Transport Legislation Amendment (Public Transport Development Authority) Act 2011.
4. ^ New section 79AD added to the Transport Integration Act by section 3 of the Transport Legislation Amendment (Public Transport Development Authority) Act 2011
5. ^ Terry Mulder MLA, Hansard, Legislative Assembly, 14 September 2011, page 3210.
6. ^ "Melbourne Tram Refranchising". www.vic.gov.au. 2 December 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
7. ^ "Welcome". Bus Association Victoria Inc. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
8. ^ Note, some shipping matters are controlled by the Commonwealth government under legislation such as the Navigation Act 1912. Other matters are within the jurisdiction of states such as Victoria through Acts such as the Transport Integration Act and other statutes such as the Marine Act 1988.
9. ^ Note, many air transport regulation matters are controlled by the Commonwealth Government. The Transport Integration Act would apply, for example, to planning controls at some airports and in respect of transport connections to other airports by road and rail.
10. ^ Clay Lucas (24 August 2011). "Comeback for Kennett-era transport chief". The Age. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
11. ^ "New Chief Executive Officer for Public Transport Victoria". Public Transport Victoria. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
12. ^ "Appointment Of Public Transport Victoria CEO". Premier of Victoria. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
13. ^ Bowen, Daniel (2 April 2012). "PTV: it's more than just rebranding, but will it make a difference?". Diary of an Average Australian. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
14. ^ "Ticket Inspectors". Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
15. ^ Adam Carey (11 December 2013). "Girl 'spear tackled' by Metro officer is under Anglicare's guardianship". The Age. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
16. ^ Nick Toscano (28 November 2013). "MELBOURNE: Myki, inspector complaints soar". Wyndham Weekly. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
17. ^ Carey, Adam (4 April 2019). "Big merger: VicRoads and PTV to become one mega-agency". The Age. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
18. ^ Donaldson, David (3 April 2019). "VicRoads and PTV to be rolled into Transport Department". The Mandarin. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
19. ^ "The end of VicRoads, PTV: Neil Mitchell's inside word on Victoria's transport merger". 3AW News. 4 April 2019. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
20. ^ "PTV is moving to Transport Victoria". Public Transport Victoria. 31 July 2025. Archived from the original on 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* PTV website
* PTV Journey Planner
* Department of Transport and Planning

* v
* t
* e

Public transport in Melbourne

* Transport Victoria
* Public Transport Victoria
* Ticketing
* Myki

Train|

| Lines|

* Alamein
* Belgrave
* Craigieburn
* Cranbourne
* Flemington Racecourse
* Frankston
* Glen Waverley
* Hurstbridge
* Lilydale
* Mernda
* Pakenham
* Sandringham
* Stony Point
* Sunbury
* Upfield
* Werribee
* Williamstown

|

Operator|

* Metro Trains

Rolling stock|

* Comeng
* X'Trapolis 100
* Siemens Nexas
* HCMT
* X'Trapolis 2.0

Infrastructure|

* City Loop
* Flinders Street Viaduct
* Metro Tunnel
* Melbourne Airport Rail
* Suburban Rail Loop
* List of railway stations in Melbourne
* Proposed extensions

Tram|

| Routes|

* 1
* 3
* 5
* 6
* 11
* 12
* 16
* 19
* 30
* 35
* 48
* 57
* 58
* 59
* 64
* 67
* 70
* 72
* 75
* 78
* 82
* 86
* 96
* 109

|

Operator|

* Yarra Trams

Rolling stock|

* W
* Z
* A
* B
* C
* C2
* D
* E
* G

Lists|

* Proposed extensions

Bus|

| Services|

* List of bus routes in Melbourne
* 202
* 601
* 901
* FlexiRide
* Night Network
* SmartBus

|

Operators|

* CDC Melbourne
* Cranbourne Transit
* Dysons
* Kinetic Melbourne
* Martyrs Bus Service
* McKenzie's Tourist Services
* Sunbury Bus Service
* Transit Systems Victoria
* Ventura Bus Lines

Infrastructure|

* Eastern Busway
* Bulleen Park & Ride
* Doncaster Park & Ride

Regional train*|

| Lines|

* Deer Park–West Werribee
* Melton

|

Operator|

* V/Line

Rolling stock|

* VLocity
* Sprinter
* N class
* N type carriage

Infrastructure|

* Regional Rail Link
* Western Rail Plan

Ferries|

| Service|

* Westgate Punt

|

SkyBus|

| Service|

* Melbourne City Express

|

Operator|

* Kinetic Group

Other|

* Department of Transport
* Level Crossing Removal Project
* Rail Projects Victoria

* Italics denotes services yet to commence
* *Only including services within metropolitan Melbourne

* v
* t
* e

Public transport in regional Victoria

* Public Transport Victoria
* Ticketing
* Myki
* V/Line paper ticket

Regional Bus|

| Operators|

* CDC Ballarat
* CDC Geelong
* CDC Mildura
* Dysons
* Kastoria Bus Lines
* McHarry's Buslines
* Transit Systems Victoria

|

Regional train|

| Operator|

* V/Line

|

Services|

* Albury
* Ballarat
* Maryborough
* Bendigo
* Echuca
* Swan Hill
* Geelong
* Warrnambool
* Gippsland
* Seymour
* Shepparton

Rolling stock|

* VLocity
* Sprinter
* N class
* N type carriage

Infrastructure|

* Regional Fast Rail project
* Regional Rail Revival

Lists|

* List of regional railway stations in Victoria
* List of railway lines in Victoria

Regional Coach|

| Operators|

* Firefly Express
* Greyhound Australia
* V/Line
* Dineen Group
* Donric Group
* Dysons
* Firefly Express
* McHarry's Buslines
* Mee's Bus Lines
* Panorama Coaches
* Ventura Bus Lines

|

Ferries|

| Operator|

* Port Phillip Ferries
* Western Port Ferries

|

Other|

* The Overland
* NSW TrainLink Southern
* Department of Transport
* Public Transport Victoria
* Rail Projects Victoria
* Ferries
* Taxis

* Italics denotes services yet to commence

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template