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                    Accessing public transport

                    Person in a wheelchair at an accessible tram stop in the city
                    Melbourne’s public transport system includes metropolitan train, tram and bus services. Many stops and stations are accessible for travellers using mobility aids and other passengers with a disability.

                    To help you plan your journey, Public Transport Victoria’s (PTV) website contains general information about public transport accessibility for people with a disability. 

                    PTV also has information on using mobility aids on trains, trams and buses, and using trains, trams and buses with a vision or hearing impairment.

                    Accessible public transport services

                    Train travel

                    Within Melbourne city, suburban trains run in a loop around five stations – Flinders Street, Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament stations. There are lifts leading to platforms at each of these stations for those with limited mobility.

                    For details on accessible metropolitan train services, refer to Public Transport Victoria's accessibility information or call 1800 800 007 or the National Relay Service on 133 677.

                    Tram travel

                    At present, not all trams or stops are accessible for people with mobility aids. However, mobility aid users can safely use tram services by boarding low-floor trams from level access stops.

                    Routes 11, 19, 96 and 109 are serviced by low-floor trams and some stops provide level access (Note: high-floor trams may be used during unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents or maintenance requirements). Routes 5, 6, 16, 48, 58, 72 and 86 are serviced by a mix of low-floor and high-floor trams. It's important that you plan your journey to ensure that both the stop you want to get on and the stop you want to get off at are level access stops.

                    Find accessible stops and low floor trams on your route.

                    For more information, see Yarra Trams accessibility information or contact Public Transport Victoria on 1800 800 007 or the National Relay Service on 133 677.

                    Bus travel

                    Most local buses in Melbourne are low-floor and accessible for people with a disability. Some buses can be lowered by the driver so they are closer to the kerb. If needed, the bus driver will also use a ramp to help passengers board the bus.

                    Low-floor buses have allocated spaces for passengers using wheelchairs or mobility aids. This area is marked on the floor with a wheelchair symbol.

                    To find out if the buses at your stop are accessible, call Public Transport Victoria on 1800 800 007

                    Find more information about travelling on accessible buses run by Transdev Melbourne, including routes 901, 902 and 903, on the Transdev Melbourne website.

                    Skybus, the rapid link bus service between Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station in the city, is wheelchair-accessible. For more information call 1300 759 287.

                    Regional (V/Line) train and bus services

                    All V/Line stations are accessible for customers with mobility aids.

                    Passengers using a mobility aid can access most V/Line trains and coaches. The train conductor or coach driver can help you board. Most V/Line coaches have an allocated space for mobility aids.

                    For more information, visit the V/Line website. On the website you can also find out if a station has facilities such as a lift or accessible toilet, and check whether the service you would like to travel on is accessible for passengers using a mobility aid. 

                    Assistance animals

                    You can bring dogs and some other animals with you on public transport under certain conditions. 

                    You can travel with an Assistance Animal Pass if you need a trained assistance animal to help you use public transport. To receive a pass, you’ll need to show that your assistance animal is trained to help you manage your disability.


                    Travel passes for special needs access

                    PTV can issue a range of travel passes for special needs access, including:

                    See PTV – Concessions and free travel for a full list of concessions and travel passes that are available.

                    Other free travel cards:

                    • The Companion Card allows a carer to travel free with the card holder on trains, trams and buses. For more information or to apply, visit the Companion Card website or call 1800 650 611 ( TTY 1800 898 888).
                    • The Victorian Carer Card allows for free travel on weekends. Cardholders may also be eligible for free travel vouchers. See Carer Card for more information.

                    Travel support and resources

                    Travellers Aid

                    ​Travellers Aid offers support, advice and assistance to all travellers, including people in emergency situations and those with special needs. They are located at Southern Cross Station and Flinders Street Station in the central city.

                    Mobility map

                    ​The City of Melbourne’s mobility map includes mobility-friendly public transport information covering the central city area.

                    Public transport services and contacts

                    Metropolitan train travel

                    Within Melbourne city, suburban trains run in a loop around five stations – Flinders Street, Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament Stations. There are elevators leading to platforms at each of these stations for those with limited mobility.

                    The train network includes premium stations with higher levels of accessible facilities and staffing. For further information on accessible transport services, call PTV on 1800 800 007.

                    Tram travel

                    The introduction of a number of low-floor trams and accessible super-stops have made it easier for people with disabilities to use trams. See Public Transport Victoria - Accessible trams for details.

                    Bus travel

                    Public Transport Victoria has information on Accessible buses. Accessibility information, timetables and contact numbers are also available on:

                    On weekdays during the day and evening, a wheelchair-accessible demand response bus service operates for people who are unable to travel on trams or buses. The service operates between Flinders Street and Southern Cross Stations in the city, and St Kilda and Port Melbourne. The buses must be booked in advance, with as much notice as possible, on 1800 012 061 or TTY 0412 525 376.

                    Country train and bus services

                    VLine is Victoria’s country train and bus service and Southern Cross Station (formerly Spencer Street Station) is the hub. The station contains accessible telephones, TTY phone at the Customer Service Centre and accessible toilets on the basement level, which can be reached by elevators.

                    Call the VLine Information Centre on 136 196 or TTY 03 9619 2727, or visit VLine for more information on fares, routes, timetables and accessibility for travellers with special mobility needs.

                    General public transport travel information 

                    The PTV website contains current timetables, routes, disruptions, maps, journey planners, ticket information and more. You can also call 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) or the National Relay Service on 133 677.

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