The "Baysider" Yearly Ticket

Page last modified/checked: Thursday, January 08, 2004
On the 21st March 2000, a circular was issued by Bayside Trains advising that on the 3rd of April 2000, a new yearly full fare ticket printed on "triplex" paper, valid for travel on Bayside Train services only would be introduced. This is the first new Metcard style ticket to be introduced as a result of privatisation, and appears to be a permanent addition to the metropolitan ticketing system. It will be interesting to see if the other franchise companies follow with similar offers aimed at their regular users. It should be noted from the illustrations below that the word "Metcard" does not appear on the ticket (nor the application form), reinforcing the exclusive nature of this ticket to Bayside trains and its independence from the Metcard ticketing system; indeed it could be suggested that the only reason the ticket has a magnetic strip is to activate automatic fare gates.

The following information is extracted from the comprehensive brochure which also includes the application form and direct debit authority:

  • The main selling point is the potential cost saving over existing multi modal ticket types, the benefits of which are displayed on a very detailed cost comparison chart. This is important and is primarily aimed at the large proportion of regular commuters who still prefer to purchase daily tickets rather than longer term tickets. Apart from those of us who budget on a daily basis, many of these people are reluctant to pay for services in advance based on the perception for whatever reason (industrial action or sick day, etc) they would not gain full value from their investment.
  • The second key selling point to these Bayside patrons is that the ticket is RAIL ONLY and they are not paying for additional bus and tram access that they may never use, keeping in mind that the basis of Melbourne's ticketing system is multi-modal. The ticket is priced at 90-92% of the current multi-modal yearly Metcard. While some people may feel that this is not a large discount given the physical extent to which one can use trams and buses, this discount follows the recommendations of the 1990 Met Ticketing Taskforce Report in that longer term tickets should not be offered at a significant discount as it is discriminatory against less frequent users of the system.
  • The third selling point is the option of monthly direct debit from a nominated account in line with current trends, as opposed to one large up-front payment.


The Baysider Yearly ticket


The Baysider Companion ticket


These instructions are pre-printed on the rear of both ticket types.

The Companion Ticket

As an additional bonus, customers also receive 6 "companion" tickets (illustrated above). These tickets are available for one day's travel on weekends; in all zones on Bayside train services only, provided the "companion" is accompanied by the Baysider ticket holder.

In line with the availabilty of all weekly, monthly and yearly tickets, the Baysider is also available for travel in all zones on weekends; and uniquely, the Baysider is available in all zones on public holidays.

As a further benefit, six 2-hour metcards are provided to allow for flexibility to travel on all tram, bus or train services in Zone 1. These are retail style tickets.

An extensive advertising campaign promotes the introduction of the Baysider ticket and includes advertisements in Melbournes "City Weekly" magazine, a series of at least three posters displayed at stations, and has even gone so far as to utilise billboards at many Bayside rail stations. This may be the first such use of station billboards for specific ticket advertising in Melbourne.

The whole offering is supplied in a "kit", the appearance of which is unknown to us, and is sent directly to the recipients home by Bayside Trains.

The Baysider was relaunched as the M>Train yearly around July 2002.

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