Accessibility

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.

We want everyone to have a safe and comfortable journey. The following guidelines explain when and how animals can travel on our buses.

Assistance animals (allowed on all services)

Passengers travelling with a Guide Dog, Seeing Eye Dog or Hearing Dog are welcome on all services.

What qualifies as an assistance animal?

An assistance animal is trained to support a person with a disability (for example guide dogs or medical support animals). These animals are recognised as assistance animals and do not require an Assistance Animal Pass.

Other types of assistance animals are also permitted.

Evidence requirements

Our bus drivers may ask for evidence that the animal:

• Is an assistance animal
• Is trained to meet appropriate hygiene and behaviour standards

This evidence may include:

• A recognised Assistance Animal Pass, or
• Other documentation (e.g. from a medical professional)

If reasonable documentation is provided, the animal will be allowed to travel.

Assistance Animal Pass

If you need an assistance animal to travel on public transport, you may be eligible for an Assistance Animal Pass.

Learn more about Assistance Animal Passes

Travelling with pets and other animals

Animals that are not assistance animals are only permitted under the following conditions:

• The animal should be in a suitable container or carrier, and
• The animal is fully enclosed inside the container at all times

Examples of suitable containers

A suitable container is specifically designed for a pet and should be:

• a suitable size for the animal
• ventilated for the animal
• secure to contain the animal for the duration of the journey
• can be easily accessed to provide any food or water to the animal during the journey
• clean

Examples of suitable containers include, but are not limited to, the containers pictured below:

Summary

• Assistance animals are welcome on buses (documentation may be requested)
• Small animals are welcome in a fully enclosed carrier
• Larger dogs are not able to travel on buses
• Please keep animals off seats
• Ensure carriers don’t block aisles or doorways
• Keep animals secure and under your control at all times
• Animals should remain inside their carrier throughout the journey

For safety and comfort, our bus drivers may refuse travel if the animal is not fully enclosed in a suitable carrier or no reasonable evidence is provided for an assistance animal when requested.

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.