Metcard Vending Machine 3 (MVM 3)Page last modified/checked: Saturday, 21 May, 2005The MVM 3 machines are coin only and installed on all trams in the Swanson Trams and Yarra Trams fleets (except for the City Circle service, which is free). They issue tickets of the same front and rear designs as the rail and bus issues. There are, however, two important differences from the other machines:
The MVM 3 machines are designated as "019" and print this number plus the machine number on the rear of tickets. The lowest MVM 3 issue found is from machine 019 1001 and the highest from machine 019 1480 (to 4/2001). It is interesting to note that the machines fitted to the four MTH carriages on the Stony Point service have also been designated (on the metal identification tag on each) as "019" machines, however the tickets as issued show an "017" prefix , viz: 017 2000 to 017 2003. For further information on these particular machines, please see the Stony Point pages. All trams are fitted with green validators, coded 034. There are four on the older "W" class, the "A" and "Z" class, and six on the articulated "B" class. A partial list of MVM 3 (019) machines and the respective trams they are fitted in is now available here.
Short Trip ticket Tram issue A short trip ticket is shown here because it is a type of Metcard ticket unique to trams. (The bus equivalent is a driver issued, flimsy thermal paper ticket).
48=Route number (North Balwyn)
Machine installed, but not yet in use, and surrounding notices, October 1996.
As each tram route was converted to Metcard, these metal attachments were fitted to the top of each tram stop sign on the affected route. A similar sign was placed in the front windshield of all trams and both signs remain as a permanent fixture of the system today.
Colourful brochures giving details of Metcard retail outlets were distributed on board trams and from the Metcard Help line as the routes were converted. Was the brochure correct in referring to route 70 as being part of the public field trial process?
Printed paper notices were also fitted into the timetable and route display holder, but these were only temporary.
This retail brochure has been folded to show the excellent standard of information within and also because it was released in conjuction with the last tram depot (Essendon) to be converted to Metcard in May 1998. The last of these brochures advertised "City Retail Outlets" in July 1998.
019's sell Daily TicketsIn late July 2002, Transport Minister Peter Bachelor announced that ticket vending machines on board trams would be modified to sell daily tickets. Attention to this matter had been promised as part of the Bracks Labor Governmants 1999 election campaign. The hiring of 100 tram attendants in January 2000 was a partial response, at least so far as their selling of the Zone 1 Premium Daily ticket. The modifications to the TVM's ia a permanent solution and involved the provision of a "Daily" ticket button. The machines could not be practicably altered to accept notes. The work was carried out at each of the eight tram depots during September. In the lead-up, a sticker was placed on the machines fascia advising of the imminent availability of daily tickets, but also encouraging the pre-purchase of Metcards from retail outlets. A poster with a similar theme is also displayed on many trams.The modifications were carried out to the machines on no less than 465 vehicles at a cost of approximately $285,000, which was met by the State Government. The Onelink Consortium, while being responsible for the machines, could not reasonably be expected to bear this cost - being outside the original specifications of the 019 machines. The non availability of daily tickets had long been an annoyance and ill thought, as the former Kennett Liberal Government expected up to 90% of tram patrons to pre-purchase their tickets off-system. Based on this, initially there were no plans to even provide vending machines on trams!
The poster on board many trams
Part of a full page ad from the Melbourne City Weekly of October 10, 2002. It listed over 100 CBD retail outlets. |
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VENDING MACHINES |
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