Doncaster Park + Ride: FAQs
- What has changed at Doncaster Park + Ride?
- Where and what is Doncaster Park + Ride?
- Why has Doncaster Park + Ride changed to a pre-paid site?
- When did Doncaster Park + Ride bus services become pre-paid?
- Does this mean that I can’t buy a Metcard at Doncaster Park + Ride?
- What bus services does this effect?
- The bus I catch is not busy at all. Do I still have to buy my Metcard before I board the bus?
- What happens if the ticket machine is faulty?
- What happens if I only have a $50 note and the machine doesn’t give me more than $10 change?
- What happens if I board a bus before it arrives at Doncaster Park + Ride?
- I am a passenger with special needs and cannot use a ticket vending machine. What should I do?
- How do I find my local Metcard retail outlet?
1. What has changed at Doncaster Park + Ride?
Passengers now need valid Metcards before boarding buses at Doncaster Park + Ride. Generally, Metcards are not available from the driver. Drivers have the discretion to issue tickets to customers in certain circumstances, such as, to customers with special needs.
2. Where and what is Doncaster Park + Ride?
Doncaster Park + Ride is located near the corner of Doncaster Road and the Eastern Freeway (opposite High Street) and serves one of Victoria’s highest frequency bus routes. The facility has car parking for 400 cars and a pick-up and drop-off area. Buses run every five minutes during the morning and afternoon peaks.
The buses travel on an express lane along the Eastern Freeway and have priority measures on inner-city roads. Buses are up to 10 minutes faster than cars during the morning peak.
3. Why has Doncaster Park + Ride changed to a pre-paid site?
Improvements can be made to ensure that passengers leave the facility and arrive at their destination as per the timetable for that service. By making this change, passengers are able to get to where they want to go faster.
4. When did Doncaster Park + Ride bus services become pre-paid?
Doncaster Park + Ride became a pre-paid facility on 1 January 2008.
5. Does this mean that I can’t buy a Metcard at Doncaster Park + Ride?
No, you can still buy your Metcards at Doncaster Park + Ride from the ticket vending machine, just like you do at a train station. Passengers are encouraged to utilise the many other methods of buying Metcards such as online, the Metcard Helpline, from retail outlets and from the MetShop.
6. What bus services does this effect?
All buses leaving Doncaster Park + Ride are pre-paid. This includes buses on the following routes when they stop at Doncaster Park + Ride:
- 207− City − Doncaster Shoppingtown − Donvale (via Doncaster Road)
- 284 − Box Hill − Doncaster Shoppingtown (via Mont Albert)
- 285 − Doncaster Shoppingtown − Camberwell
- 307 − City − Mitcham (via Eastern Freeway & Doncaster Road)
- 309 − City − Donvale (via Reynolds Road, Williamsons, Lynnwood, High Street & Eastern Freeway)
- 313 − Templestowe Shops − City (via High Street & Kilby Road)
- 316 − Deep Creek Reserve − City (via Doncaster Road & Eastern Freeway)
- 319 − The Pines Shopping Centre - City (via King Street, High Street & Eastern Freeway)
7. The bus I catch is not busy at all. Do I still have to buy my Metcard before I board the bus?
Yes, all buses leaving from Doncaster Park + Ride are pre-paid services. This ensures that buses leave the interchange as quickly as possible to make way for other buses that could be busier.
8. What happens if the ticket machine is faulty?
We can track faulty ticket machines very accurately and quickly attend to any faults. Bus drivers are able to sell tickets when the machine is faulty however we do suggest buying your Metcards before you arrive at Doncaster Park + Ride.
9. What happens if I only have a $50 note and the machine doesn’t give me more than $10 change?
If you think you might be caught without the correct money, we suggest buying your ticket in advance from Metcard retail outlets across Melbourne, the MetShop on the corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets, the Metcard Helpline on 1800 652 313 or online.
10. What happens if I board a bus before it arrives at Doncaster Park + Ride?
The Doncaster Park + Ride stop is prepaid, therefore if you board at a stop before or after Doncaster Park + Ride, you can still buy a ticket on board.
11. I am a passenger with special needs and cannot use a ticket vending machine. What should I do?
Customers with special needs can purchase their Metcards on-board from the driver. However to make the best savings and access the complete range of Value Metcards, consider buying your Metcards from retail outlets displaying the blue Metcard sign, the MetShop on the corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets, the Metcard Helpline on 1800 652 313 or online.
12. How do I find my local Metcard retail outlet?
The Metlink website has details of the Metcard retail outlets throughout Melbourne. Simply enter the suburb you live in and you will be provided with a list of outlets in your area.
