Yarra Trams takes the challenge

Two enthusiastic teams from Yarra Trams went head-to-head with year 7-10 students and teams from other public transport organisations in the Public Transport Challenge final on Friday 6 June.

Starting from the National Gallery of Victoria, using only public transport, teams chalked up points by visiting up to 25 Melbourne locations including Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Aquarium, Queen Victoria Market, Station Pier and Carlton’s Royal Exhibition Building.

The Yarra Trams team of Kylie Scott, Jo Holmes, Katie Maynes and Ian Stokes came in second out of the eight adult teams from Connex, BusVic, Metlink and Department of Transport (DOT).

But the three winning student teams were too good. All three topped the score achieved by corporate winners DOT in the frenetic game of skill and strategy.

Great teamwork, an impressive strategy and sharp knowledge of the public transport network saw Kew High School win the final.  The team, made up of two year eights and two year nines, beat 21 student teams from 18 other schools to earn top spot.

Highlighting just how many of our city’s attractions are accessible by public transport, the team collected the most points during the five hour race around Melbourne on trains, trams and buses.

Now in its fourth year, the Public Transport Challenge is a Metlink and Environment Victoria initiative that encourages people to catch public transport, educating them about its environmental benefits and other environmental issues affecting Melbourne.

Runners up in the 2008 PT Challenge!