Public Transport
Find how to get to La Trobe University by bus, train or tram.
Public Transport timetables
The Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website contains information about all public transport in Melbourne. Which includes services, maps, timetables, fares and ticketing and journey planner can help you plan all your trips from A to B using trains, trams and buses. Simply enter where you're travelling to and from and you'll be provided with a personalised journey plan that details connections between trains, trams and buses and any walking time involved.
Campus-specific information
Public transport resources
Metrobe
Metrobe is an innovative student project that informs the users of all bus, train and tram departures that directly serve or are close to the Campus. This program developed by IT and Computer Science students is a one stop shop for all the latest travel times to and from the Campus.
Visit Metrobe and bookmark it on your device.
Benefits of public transport
Getting around can be one of our biggest expenses, so it's definitely worth looking for ways to save money.
Most people just think of the cost of petrol and parking when they're driving. But when the car needs a service, a bank loan needs to be paid, the insurance bill arrives, or the registration is due, that's when we truly start to see how expensive it can be to drive. (And don't even get started on the cost of depreciation). If you can completely live without a car, you'll save a few thousand dollars a year – that's realistically enough for airfares to Europe.
But let's say you need a car for non-uni travel and you'll be incurring these ongoing costs anyway. What's the cost of just driving to uni?
Public Transport Victoria's fare calculator will help determine what fare type and price to pay.
Plan your savings
While there are many variables to consider, most students will save at least a few dollars a day by catching public transport. Think of it as a free coffee when you arrive at uni, or some handy savings that can really multiply throughout the year.
Another good thing about public transport is you'll know the cost for the rest of the year and be able to benefit from student concession rates. Drivers don't get any concessions unfortunately, and you're at the whim of daily price fluctuations when you fill up.
One of the main reasons people choose driving over public transport is because they believe it's quicker and frees up more time for other things.
While it's true that driving is faster some of the time, perception doesn't always match reality. During peak times public transport can be quite competitive. The only way you'll know for sure is to try a couple of different modes to see for yourself.
When you know how long your commute is, consider turning dead time into productive time. It's illegal to read a book or get online while you're driving, but studying is very easy when you're on public transport. Even if the tram or bus is a little bit slower than driving, weigh up the time you've saved by knocking off some research or reading while you're on the move, versus not being able to start studying until you get home.
| 1 hour of driving | 1 hour on the tram / bus | More study time with public transport: | |
| Study time | 0 study | 50 minutes study time | Daily - 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Daily total (2 trips) | 0 study | Up to 1 hour and 40 minutes study time | Yearly - Over 233 hours! |
For all transport-related information, please visit Transport Central or email sustainability@latrobe.edu.au if you have any questions.