The Melbourne Cup Carnival is bringing an extra 1000-plus services onto Victoria’s public transport network as the state gears up for Australian horse racing’s biggest day.
Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams announced on Saturday the new services will add to the 2200-plus services already running.
Tomorrow (Melbourne Cup Day and a state holiday), another 300 services will allow trains to run every six to seven minutes to Flemington Racecourse Station from Flinders Street, Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations.
On Oaks Day (November 6), an extra 180 trains will run to Flemington and on Stakes Day (November 8), an extra 200 train services will operate.
Yarra Trams is providing extra shuttle trams between Flinders St Station and Flemington on all key days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Click here for the field for the big race tomorrow
“Racegoers can arrive at Flinders Street and be on a train on their way to the Melbourne Cup in under 10 minutes,” Williams claims.
“With over 1000 extra trains and trams scheduled throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival, this will make getting to and from the races easier for racegoers.”
Racing Minister Anthony Carbines is urging patrons to plan and take public transport for Spring Carnival, the largest major event in Victoria.
For more information about services, visit transport.vic.gov.au.
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The state government has taken $1.79 million from the Major Racing Events Fund to spend on the carnival while the Victoria Racing Club has upgraded its Elms and Park precincts.
The Elms stage will host performances from global DJ star FISHER and Australian electronic icons PNAU while The Park will feature family-friendly activities and the chance to meet retired racing champions.
“Nobody does spring racing like Victoria and this year’s cup carnival will once again showcase our city at its very best,” Carbines says.
“We’re proud to back Victoria’s $4.7 billion racing industry – supporting thousands of jobs and keeping Melbourne buzzing as the carnival draws visitors from across Australia and the world.”
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) chairman Neil Wilson says the cup carnival is “one of Victoria’s most important major events”, drawing visitors from across the state, country and other countries.
The carnival generated more than $500m in gross economic benefit last year, the government says.
Since its launch in 2023, the Major Racing Events Fund gave $9.2m for 29 projects worth almost $21m.
The state government also spent nearly $21m on the VRC to fund 21 infrastructure projects and 15 events.
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