Bus transport in Victoria is being made more accessible to support the needs of all public transport users.
CDC Victoria recognises and respects the rights of all customers that travel with us. We understand the diverse accessibility needs of the communities we serve and are committed to providing safe, accessible transport for all of our passengers.
Everyone has different accessibility needs and CDC Victoria hopes that the information listed here will help you in your daily travels.
We are proud to say that all of our buses are low floor and fully accessible. Our drivers have been trained to assist you by lowering the accessibility ramp to allow passengers easier access. Please do not hesitate to request assistance should you need it.
Travel Tip: Once you have boarded safely, please park your mobility aid in the priority zone. You are asked to hold onto the handrails where possible, and apply the park break to ensure your safety.
Priority seating zones are equipped with flip up seats to allow more room for your mobility aid. The priority seating zone also has special buttons to make it easier for you to alert the driver when you are approaching your bus stop or if you need assistance. These seats are at the front section of each bus and identified through distinctive red seat coverings and signs and stickers above the designated areas. The seats are located closest to the aisle and doors.
Priority seats are for passengers with a disability, impairment, or any access needs, remembering that this may not always be visible. The priority seats are also for pregnant women, the elderly, and parents with young children.
It is a requirement to provide the priority seats to those who need it more than you do. Penalties apply for those who do not comply with these mandatory requirements.
Our drivers have been trained to assist anyone who may require assistance including passengers that are blind or have low vision.
Travel Tip: If you would like our friendly drivers to notify you when you are reaching your stop, please do not hesitate to request this when you board the bus.
If you need the help of a friend or carer to travel, you may be eligible for a Companion Card. Click here to find more information at the Companion Card website.
You can also call the PTV call centre on 1800 800 007 for more information, about accessibility across the Victorian public transport network. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service to contact PTV. Once you contact the National Relay Service, ask to call 1800 800 007.
TTY users can also call us directly on 03 9619 2727.
For information about recommended mobility aid specifications please refer to CDC Victoria’s Accessibility Policy.
A number of CDC Victoria passengers travel with an Assistance Animal or a Guide Dog. If you need an assistance animal to travel on public transport, you may be eligible for an Assistance Animal Pass. Please click here for more information about Assistance Animal Passes.
Passengers travelling with a Guide Dog, Seeing Eye Dog or Hearing Dogs you don’t require an Assistance Animal Pass as these dogs are deemed as companion and assisting animals.
For other passenger wishing to travel with a pet, to take their animal to the vet for instance, will need to follow these rules:
- Smaller dogs are allowed to travel on public transport provided they are in a travel container or carrier,
- Larger dogs are not permitted to travel on buses,
- Dogs are not allowed on seats, are not allowed to block doorways and must be controlled by their owners at all times,
- A passenger may travel with other pets/animals on buses provided the animal is in a suitable travel container or carrier – i.e. box, cage, bag, travel container or carrier,
- Under no circumstance are animals allowed to roam freely around the bus.
Most city and suburban bus stops have a tactile strip showing where the bus will stop. Our drivers have been trained to line up these tactile strips with the front door of the bus, however on occasions this is not possible. If you need assistance boarding the bus please let the driver know and they will be happy to help.
All bus stops have tactile information panels, with each stop having their own unique stop ID number. The stop ID numbers are in braille and raised lettering. Each stop ID number can be used to access real time information by either contacting PTV direct on 1800 800 007 or using the PTV mobile app.
To plan your journey, use the fully accessible PTV App, it includes text to voice capability and large font options. Click here for more information on the PTV App.
BusAble Program
As one of Victoria’s largest public transport providers linking people, places, and communities; CDC Victoria has created the BusAble program. This program allows passengers to practice traveling safely on buses to help you feel comfortable and confident using our services.
CDC Victoria’s BusAble program is designed to empower personal mobility independence. The program provides bus travel education to support service providers with clients who have personal accessibility barriers.
Who can benefit from this program?
- Anyone looking to build confidence on public transport serviced by one of CDC Victoria’s seven depots.
- CALD or refugee communities.
- Seniors who want to become re-acquainted with using public transport.
- People with accessibility needs and their carers (NDIS, community groups).
- Young people with recently acquired disabilities, and their carers.
Our BusAble program is available by appointment at all seven metro and regional CDC Victoria depots. Our depots are in greater western and south-east Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Mildura.
CDC Victoria’s BusAble program delivery partners have included: Scope Australia , Ballarat Specialist School and V/Line.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, please contact