Drivers are urged to take extra care on our roads and be on the lookout for school speed zones, as Victorian students return to the classroom from Monday 31 January.
Victorian Government schools start back on Monday, with school speed zones enforced from 8.00am. Drivers are urged to be patient and should expect an increase in road, pedestrian and bicycle traffic at drop-off and pick-up times.
Some school speed zones are permanent, while others operate from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4.00pm on weekdays, with reduced speeds of 40km/h or 60km/h in school zones until the end of the school term.
School speed zones are designed to keep pedestrians safe by lowering the speed limit at peak times when children are travelling to and from school. Regardless of whether a school is open or closed, all sign-posted 40km/h zones will still apply.
School bus services will operate as normal, and across the bus network priority is being given to providing drivers for school buses. However there is a risk of staff shortages caused by Covid-19 and this may result in some changes and cancellations to school bus services.
Local schools will notify parents and students of changes or cancellations to services as soon as possible.
Up-to-date school bus cancellation information will be added to the Department of Education’s closure website: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/Pages/closures.aspx.
Parents of children using bus services are encouraged to talk to their children about practicing good hand hygiene, social distancing where they can, and respecting the clearance zone around bus drivers.
Cash payments will not be accepted on-board regional bus services including school buses until further notice. This temporary change is to reduce contact between drivers and passengers where possible.
The myki bus network permanently removed on-board top ups and myki sales from 13 July 2020. Passengers should ensure they have a valid myki, ready for travel ahead of time.
There are plenty of cashless ways passengers can top up their myki online, via the PTV app or at their nearest station or stop. People can also now top up instantly using the PTV app.
Cash continues to be accepted at station ticket offices and PTV hubs, however, payment with debit or credit cards is preferred.
When travelling on public transport passengers aged eight years and over must wear a fitted face mask, covering the nose and mouth for the entire journey.
Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app.
The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.
