Melbourne's public transport network will be FREE from 6pm on New Year's Eve until the first normal scheduled service the next day.
This means : TRAINS - TRAMS - BUSES and V-LINE
The best way to travel to Melbourne's New Year's Eve in the city celebrations is by public transport. There's no need to stress about traffic, finding a car park, organising a lift or designated driver, when so many trains, trams and buses will be available to get you to and from the celebrations.
Public transport will be busy on the night, particularly after the fireworks at 9.15pm and midnight, so make sure you allow plenty of time to get to and from your destination.
Please note that the Southbank pedestrian bridge will be closed from 8.30pm - 9.30pm.
V-Line/Coaches
If you're travelling on V/Line trains and coaches, free travel will be offered on services arriving at their destination after 6pm on New Year's Eve and the first timetabled service on the morning of 1 January 2009.
I'm not knocking this because its a damn good bargain (freebie) but I used this "free" service last year:
Points to note:
1) Thousands of teenagers (I was in my late 20's at the time) drinking
2) Hundreds of teenagers yelling
3) Tens of teenagers fighting
4) At least 3 I saw urinating on the train or platform
Get the idea about how great the offer is in reality.
Sure 99 (maybe 95%) were doing the right thing, but when you are talking 200,000 people all using this service - still ends up being way too many drongo's around to enjoy the "free" ride.