Extra trains added to Lilydale line for footy fans

Extra trains have been added to the timetable for the Lilydale line to cater for the AFL grand final parade and game. Picture: UNSPLASH.

Extra trains will be added to various train lines including Lilydale to help cater for crowds flocking to both the AFL grand final parade and game on Friday and Saturday.

An estimated crowd of 45,000 is expected to line the Yarra River for the Grand Final Parade which ends at the Yarra Park precinct.

Metropolitan trains will run to a Saturday timetable with 26 extra services running on the Belgrave, Lilydale, Mernda, Hurstbridge, Frankston, Pakenham, Werribee, Sandringham, Glen Waverley and Sunbury lines before and after festivities.

The Grand Final parade begins at 10.15am with players travelling by boat down the Yarra River from Southbank to Birrarung Marr followed by a motorcade across William Barak Bridge to Yarra Park where both teams will be presented to the crowd at 12.05pm.

Footy fans are advised of the extra travellers on public transport for the Royal Melbourne Show beginning on Thursday 22 September.

For Saturday’s grand final, an extra 50 train and tram services have been added to the timetable to help the 100,000 footy fans get to and from the MCG.

Metropolitan trains will run to a Saturday timetable with an extra 12 services on the Sandringham, Frankston, Pakenham, Glen Waverley, Belgrave, Lilydale, Hurstbridge, Mernda and Sunbury lines.

There will also be an extra 28 services to help fans get home after the match.

Masks, as of 11.59pm on Thursday 22 September, will no longer be required on public transport.

Passengers are encouraged to visit ptv.vic.gov.au/disruptions for more information and to plan their journey.