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Public Transport

Empowering and Connecting People

Local Transit is committed to providing people with restricted mobility, especially those with disability, a range of transport options that allows them to fully participate in society and their community. This includes enabling people with restricted mobility to access and use public transport throughout Melbourne.

Our approach to empowering people with disability to access Melbourne’s public transport network adopts the following principles.

    • Delivering an fully accessible journey and network.
    • Mobility as a Service (MaaS)- the integration of various forms of transport into a single mobility service.
    • Providing first and last leg transfers for people with restricted mobility to and from accessible public transport infrastructure.
    • Linking passengers and drivers through innovative app technologies.
    • Building customer confidence in public transport for people with disability- for example through our Try Before You Ride tours. 

 

Although a relatively small player in this space, Local Transit has consistently advocated for smaller, wheelchair accessible vehicles to be integrated into the public transport network to allow efficient connection between the places that people with restricted mobility live and frequent and public transport. We have participated in the dialogue underpinning the newly released Victorian Department of Transport and Planning’s Transport Accessibility Strategic Framework, developed position papers, and have been featured in case studies in Government publications. 

Since 2019, Local Transit has provided accessible replacement shuttle services for Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), the Level Crossing Replacement Authorities, Metro Tunnel Authority, and road construction under Victoria’s Big Build Project. These 10 and 22-seater shuttle buses transport able passengers and passengers with restricted mobility around road and rail disruptions. 

In mid-2024, we tendered for, and were awarded, a three-year contract with MTM to provide accessible vehicles for all types of disruptions and for rail emergencies involving people with mobility restrictions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Transit provided accessible ten-seat minibuses for three on-demand public transport linkage trials in western Melbourne between 2019 and 2022.

The services provided linked under-served new growth areas in the Wyndham City Local Government Area, which were underserved by public transport, with public transport hubs.

These trials offered scheduled peak hour services from virtual stops to the nearest train station during peak hours, and on-demand wheelchair accessible services for vulnerable and mobility-impaired community members at other times.

The success of these trials was followed by appropriate public services in these areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our reliable, accredited, professional drivers all have many years of experience transporting people in the commercial passenger industry in Melbourne. Our drivers are professionally trained and take full responsibility for the comfortable and safe transport of all their passengers by following our company’s strict operating procedures. All drivers are endorsed by the Department of Transport and specifically trained to transport wheelchairs and other mobility devices. They hold Police Clearances, Working with Children Checks, and Level 1 First-Aid Certificates.

All our drivers are trained to deliver the NIDS if required. This is particularly useful for medical appointments and community outings.

Local Transit follows strict Covid safety procedures. All vehicles are disinfected after each passenger trip. Each vehicle is equipped with hand sanitizer and garbage bins, as well as gloves and masks. QR codes are available for digital contact tracing in all vehicles. Drivers have been trained in hygiene and covid-safety procedures and follow our compliant protocols.

Local Transit is fully accredited and safety-compliant with the Victoria Department of Transport for commercial passenger vehicle and bus operations. All vehicles have comprehensive insurance and are covered by public liability insurance. The company has experience with managing contracts from government and private sector agencies.

For inquiries about our public transport capabilities and initiatives, please call or complete the contact form below, and a friendly staff member will respond.