We partnered with Cultura Geelong to deliver a series of BusAble sessions designed to help newly arrived migrants and refugees gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to use public transport independently.
Cultura plays an important role in supporting refugees and migrants as they settle into life in Australia, and the BusAble program provided participants with practical guidance on navigating Victoria’s public transport network.
The program was delivered across four groups, bringing together participants from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. For many attendees, English was not their primary language and some had limited experience using public transport in Australia.
Learning the Basics of Public Transport
The classroom component of the program focused on building participants’ understanding of public transport and helping them feel more confident travelling independently. Topics covered included:
- Understanding public bus services
- Using a Myki card and understanding fares
- Planning journeys and navigating routes
- Using the PTV app
- Accessibility features and available support
- Passenger safety and emergency procedures
The sessions were interactive, with participants encouraged to ask questions and discuss real-life travel scenarios relevant to their daily lives.
Bringing Learning to Life on the Bus
Following the classroom session, participants took part in a practical on-bus experience led by a CDC Victoria driver from the Geelong team.
The hands-on component allowed participants to put their learning into practice by boarding a bus, familiarising themselves with accessibility features, understanding the customer journey, and gaining a better understanding of how to travel safely and confidently.
The practical session also provided an opportunity for participants to ask questions and receive guidance in a supportive environment.
Building Confidence and Independence
The BusAble program is designed to help people build confidence and independence when using public transport.
By the end of the session, participants had developed a stronger understanding of:
- How to use a Myki card and manage fares
- Planning journeys and navigating transport routes
- Using digital tools such as the PTV app
- Accessibility features available across the bus network
- Safety procedures and what to do in an emergency
- Independent travel planning and decision-making
These skills can play an important role in helping newcomers access employment, education, healthcare, community services and social opportunities.
Positive Feedback from Cultura
The sessions received positive feedback from participants and Cultura staff, highlighting the value of practical transport education for people who are new to Australia.
Jess Harper, CEO of Cultura, said, “For someone who is new to Australia, even something as simple as catching a bus can feel quite daunting. Having the chance to learn how the system works, ask questions and actually practise it makes a real difference. Being able to use public transport confidently and independently is an important part of the settlement journey, and programs like BusAble can make that first step a little easier.”
Abdul Khliq, Social Worker at Cultura, said: “This session was so helpful and informative. This is the first time most of them got to know there is a daily limit on Myki and it won’t keep charging them if they forget to tap off. Such sessions help build confidence around public transport.”
Creating More Accessible and Connected Communities
CDC Victoria is proud to work alongside organisations such as Cultura to help people build the confidence and skills needed to travel independently on public transport.
By combining education with practical experience, the BusAble program helps remove barriers to public transport use and supports greater independence, inclusion and community participation.
As more people gain the confidence to navigate public transport on their own, programs like BusAble continue to demonstrate the important role accessible transport plays in connecting people with opportunities, services and their local communities.
