A bus journey planning guide 2018 is out and it’s not a great one at all.
But we think we’ve got a pretty good idea of what you should be thinking.
The bus route planner is designed to help you plan the bus routes and timetables, but what does that mean?
We asked some of the experts to share their best advice.
First up, it’s important to realise that you can’t control the weather.
The forecast is usually the best indicator of what’s to come, but you need to be prepared.
“I’m very lucky that the forecast is right,” says the planner, John.
“In Melbourne, you’ll get a little bit of a bad weather window, but it’s still good weather.”
If you’re travelling by train or the rail network, there are also weather-related warnings to look out for.
“The weather is always a concern,” says one planner.
“There’s a chance of a little snow on the tracks, but if it’s in the south-east of the state, you’ve got the chance of showers and thunderstorms.”
The planner advises you to make sure you get to the bus station and avoid waiting for an open-space bus.
“When you get onto the train or rail, you can see if there’s an open space bus,” he says.
“If you don’t, you may have to wait for a dedicated bus service.
There are also open spaces available in some of these locations so make sure to check them out.”
Another thing to look for is the number of people waiting to board the bus.
A lot of people think that the bus route will be overcrowded, but this is only true if there are fewer people than the recommended number of seats.
“A lot of the times you’re not going to get the maximum number of passengers on the journey,” says planner Ben.
“So make sure that you get as many people as possible, especially on the longer buses.
They don’t usually have the capacity to take as many as they should.”
Another common misconception is that you need a driver to help get you around.
“Most of the time you can just ask for someone to do it for you,” says Ben.
Instead, the planner suggests you book a driver at the bus stop and ask for a taxi.
“Some drivers will actually pick you up on the side of the road.
If you can get away without the driver, you don,t need a taxi,” he advises.
“But if they can’t pick you out on the road, you should book a taxi.”
The same goes for people who are unable to find a driver, so you might want to book a cab instead.
“You need a vehicle to get you from point A to point B,” says John.
For those who have to pay a fare, the driver can help you with that, too.
“They’ll usually be there to collect your fare,” he explains.
“That’s really the only thing you need.
Just pay the fare and get on the train.”
Another good option is to get off the bus and buy a ticket to get to your destination.
“On the bus you’re supposed to pay for your trip and the ticket,” says Anne.
“This will help you get the best price, so if you can pay a little more than the fare, you’re probably getting the best deal.”
Some of the options are cheaper than going straight from the station to the stop.
“Just buy a one-way ticket on the way and get off at the next stop,” says Jane.
“Or if you’re coming from the east and want to get into the city, you might buy a single-use ticket and get onto another bus.”
Another option is for you to walk to the station and buy tickets to get on another bus if you don to want to walk. “
It’s better to pay the cost of the ticket rather than paying the fare.”
Another option is for you to walk to the station and buy tickets to get on another bus if you don to want to walk.
“Depending on where you are, you will need to buy a different ticket,” explains Anne.
Some of them are cheaper, but the cheapest options will probably be the ones with a one hour minimum to get from the stop to the train station.
You can also use a bus to catch a train to your hotel.
“Sometimes you may want to go to your accommodation for a couple of days and then go to a different part of town,” says Ann.
“As you go, you have to buy your own ticket, so it’s very expensive.”
It’s a good idea to get some help when you get on a bus from your accommodation.
“Take the opportunity to tell people on the route about what you’re going to be doing,” says Jan. “Also, make sure your bags are checked and packed in, and if you need anything to buy, you need someone to go and buy it for.”