Bus accessibility
| Many programs and projects are underway to improve the accessibility of bus services in Victoria. This page provides information on what is being done to improve access for all members of the community including people with a disability. |  |  |
Information on this page
Low floor buses
The Victorian Government is progressively replacing all buses used on regular route services and coach services (not including school bus services) with accessible, low-floor vehicles.
As part of the statewide Bus Replacement Program, the Government is progressively purchasing modern, air-conditioned, low-floor buses to replace older vehicles. The new vehicles are improving passenger comfort. They also meet the requirements of the Federal
Disability Discrimination Act 1992. More than half of all bus routes in Victoria are now accessible.
Bus companies will endeavour to ensure that a low-floor bus is scheduled on a particular route at the time passengers require it, provided the company is given adequate notice. In general, it is best to advise the company the day before you wish to travel.
As the fleets of individual bus companies include more low-floor buses, route service timetables will begin to specify which trips are operated using accessible buses.
Accessible bus stops
SmartBus
Improvements have been made to bus stops along many routes in Melbourne's eastern suburbs as part of the
SmartBus program.
More than 300 bus stops along SmartBus routes are wheelchair accessible. Tactile tiles have been installed at some stops to improve accessibility for people with a vision impairment. A high number of buses operating on the three hundred routes are low-floor and real-time information signs at some stops display an asterisk to indicate whether the next bus arriving at the stop is low floor. Similar improvements will be made to bus stops along future SmartBus routes.
Other bus stops
A further 16,500 bus stops in Melbourne and regional areas will be upgraded to include access paths, new surfaces and Tactile Ground Surface Indicators.
Targets for improving accessibility
Targets to improve access to public transport services, including buses, are in Victoria's
Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan.
This plan is developed by the Government and operators to meet Federal Disability Discrimination Act requirements.
Using the bus network
For information on using buses in Melbourne visit the
Metlink site.
For information on bus and coach services in regional Victoria, visit the
Viclink site.