Seniors Transport Guide 2013

A guide to encourage Maroondah’s senior residents to use a variety of transport options

Introduction This guide has been designed for Maroondah’s senior residents who are reducing their driving or are reliant on alternative modes of transport.

We hope that by encouraging the use of these modes of transport, our senior residents will be able to maintain their independence and stay connected with their family, friends and community.

Within the City of Maroondah there are a range of public and community transport options including bus, trains, taxis and courtesy services, as well as facilities for walking and cycling.

We trust that this guide will help our senior residents feel confident to leave their car at home and undertake more of their travels by other transport options.

Travel discounts There are many discount travel options available to make using public transport easier and more affordable.

Concession cards: Holders of the Victorian Seniors Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are entitled to the following benefits on public transport services in Victoria:  concession fares on metropolitan trams, trains and buses  concession fares on V/Line trains and coaches  two Seniors Off-Peak Free Travel Vouchers issued annually  free weekend travel in Zones 1 and 2.

You should always carry your seniors or pension card with you when travelling on public transport in Victoria. Companion Card The Companion Card provides free travel for the carer/companion of the cardholder on all public transport services. War Veterans Travel Passes Holders of an Extreme Disablement Adjustment/Totally and Permanently Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) War Veterans Travel Pass or War Veterans Travel Pass receive free travel on all public transport services in Victoria. Vision Impaired Travel Pass People who are legally blind can apply for the Vision Impaired Travel Pass which entitles them to free travel on all Victorian public transport. Scooter and Wheelchair Travel Pass This pass offers free travel for people with a permanent and severe lifelong disability who depend on the use of a scooter or wheelchair for mobility outside of the home.

The Access Travel Pass This pass is available to people with a permanent disability who can still travel independently, but cannot use the public transport ticketing system (myki) due to their disability.

Resources Victorian Seniors Cards T: 1300 797 210 W:www.seniorscard.vic.gov.au

Public Transport Victoria concession travel T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Pensioner Concession Cards & Seniors Health Card T: 132 300 W: www.centrelink.vic.gov.au

Companion Card T: 1800 650 611 W: www.companioncard.org.au/

War Veterans Travel Pass, Vision Impaired Travel Pass, Scooter and Wheelchair Travel Pass, Access Travel Pass T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Vision impaired Travel Pass T: 9619 1159 W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Paying for public transport The myki card has repalced the Metcard ticketing system on all public transport.

It is a durable, reusable card that stores a monetary value for you to pay your fare on public transport.

The seniors myki card To be eligible for a seniors myki card, you need to be registered for the Victorian Seniors Card.

You will receive a free seniors myki card by ticking the appropriate box when completing the Victorian Seniors Card Applications Form. Seniors myki cardholders receive free travel on Saturdays and Sundays in Zones 1 and 2 and on regional town bus services

Where myki is operating myki must be used for travel on all metropolitan trains, trams and buses, on buses in some regional centres and on selected V/Line services.

How do I use it? The myki ‘touch on or off’ machines are located at the entrance and exits of all stations, buses and trams.

When you travel with myki just remember your three Ts:

 top up

 touch on

 touch off.

Touch on at the start of every trip by holding your myki still against the hand symbol on the myki reader located at the entry and exit points of train stations, trams and buses. Do not swipe. When you see a green light and hear a beep, you’ve touched on successfully.

At the end of each trip, touch off at the myki reader.

Where can I top up?

If your myki card drops below $10 the myki readers will elt you know by sound and a display of green and yellow lights. Now is the time to top up.

You can top up instantly at selected retail outlets and by using myki machines located at all station, and selected tram and bus interchanges.

Resources myki information T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.myki.com.au

Ticketing and concession information T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Catching a metropolitan train Metro is the name of Melbourne's metropolitan rail service.

It is responsible for the timetabling and operation of the train services in metropolitan Melbourne.

Maps of the Metropolitan rail network are available from Croydon and Ringwood stations or by calling Public Transport Victoria. Metro customer information consoles Each train station has a Customer Information Console containing a green and red button.

Press the green button to hear when the next train is arriving.

Travelling safely Press the red button on the Customer Information Console for emergencies only.

Pressing this button will allow you to speak directly with staff, will notify emergency services and will activate the security cameras.

When waiting for a train, always stand behind the yellow line on the platform. In the case of an emergency, press the red emergency button located near the automatic doors.

Protective Services Officers will be posted from 6 pm until the last train at every station. If you need assistance when travailing on the metropolitan rail network look for Metro staff or Protective Service Officers.

Travelling with your mobility aid Wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters are permitted on all rail services.

It is requested that you board the first carriage of the train to improve safety and to allow the driver to see you in case you need assistance.

Travelling with your pet Guide dogs, hearing guide dogs, guide dogs in training and animals with an Assistance Animal Pass can travel for free on all Victorian public transport services.

Dogs on leads are permitted to travel for free on metropolitan trains, but only if they are muzzled. Dogs must be controlled by their owner at all times.

Small animals can travel on metropolitan public transport, but they must be in a suitable container.

Travellers Aid Australia Travellers Aid Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides vital services and dignified outcomes to travellers in need, especially those with special requirements or in emergency situations.

Travellers Aid Australia services include:  emergency relief for travellers in crisis  hire of mobility equipment  an accessible toilet and shower  personal care assistance  buggy transport service at Southern Cross Station.

Travellers Aid is located at Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations. Medical companion service Travellers Aid Australia offers this free service to take the worry out of travelling to the city for a medical appointment. Trained volunteers will meet and accompany you to and from your appointment on the city or on public transport.

The service is available to regional and metropolitan travellers and must be booked at least 48 hours before the appointment date.

Travellers must purchase their own public transport tickets. The volunteers’ travel costs will be covered by Travellers Aid Australia.

The service operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Weekend or out-of-hours services can be requested, depending in volunteer availability.

Resources Public Transport Victoria (maps of the rail network, customer queries, staffed stations) T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Metro Trains Melbourne T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.metrotrains.com.au

Assistance Animal Passes T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Travellers Aid at Flinders Street Station T: 9610 2030 W: www.travellersaid.org.au

Travellers Aid at Southern Cross Station T: 9670 2072 W: www.travellersaid.org.au

Travellers Aid Medical Companion Service T: 1300 700 399

Catching a V/Line train & coach V/Line is responsible for the timetabling and operation of the regional train and coach services.

Buying a V/Line ticket You can buy your ticket or make a reservation at:  staffed V/Line stations  an accredited V/Line ticket agent  Croydon and Ringwood train stations Or you can call V/Line directly. You can also purchase your ticket once you are on board the train or coach if you are getting on at an unstaffed station. The conductor or coach driver will only accept cash.

Some V/Line tickets also entitle you to ride the metropolitan public transport system on the day of travel.

Travelling with your mobility aid Electric wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters can be used on trains and coaches but must fit within V/Line’s specified dimensions.

If you are travelling by coach, call V/Line to ensure it is wheelchair accessible.

Wait in a prominent location on the platform so the train conductor or coach driver will assist you to board

Travelling with your pet You can travel with your pet on a V/Line train as long as they are in an approved container. Pets are not allowed on V/Line coaches.

Pets are not allowed on V/line coaches.

Guide dogs, hearing guide dogs, guide dogs in training and approved assistance animals are permitted on all V/Line services.

Dimensions for mobility aids and approved pet containers can be found on the V/Line website or by calling V/Line.

Checking in your luggage Usually, passengers travelling on the majority of V/Line journeys carry their own luggage.

If you need assistance with your luggage, please ask a V/Line staff member.

You can only check in luggage on train journeys arriving in or departing from Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill or Warrnambool.

Resources V/Line information T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.vline.com.au

Catching a bus

Metropolitan buses Bus services operating throughout Maroondah are provided by Ventura Bus Company. Maroondah’s largest bus interchanges are at Ringwood and Croydon stations.

The frequency of buses varies from one route to another between peak and off peak periods. Please make sure you check the timetable of the bus route to plan your trip.

Also, please remember that buses operate less frequently over the weekend. Travelling with your mobility aid Many low-floor buses are wheelchair accessible.

These buses are usually identified on bus timetables, but please call the relevant bus company to check the routes they operate on. TeleBus TeleBuses typically have a scheduled route, but passengers can also ring and book a pickup within an area served by the route.

TeleBus services operate throughout Croydon, Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark.

Using the airport bus The Airport Bus Eastside service operates between the airport and designated stops throughout the City of Maroondah.

You will need to book and prepay before using the service.

Resources Ventura T: 9488 2100 W: www.venturabus.com.au

TeleBus T: 9735 3133 W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au/timetables/telebuses/

Airport Bus Eastside T: 9729 7622. W: www.airportbus.com.au

Catching a tram Yarra Trams is responsible for Melbourne’s tram services.

If you need assistance when travelling on the metropolitan tram network look for a Yarra Trams staff member.

Travelling with your mobility aid Low-floor trams and accessible platform stops make travelling with a mobility aid easier.

A full list of accessible stops is available on the Yarra Trams website. Travelling with your pet Guide dogs, hearing guide dogs, guide dogs in training and registered assistance animals can travel for free on all trams.

Other small animals can travel for free on a tram but they must be in a closed container.

Using tramTRACKER® tramTRACKER® is a customer service provided by Yarra Trams that provides free real-time tram information for every stop on the network.

There are many ways you can use tramTRACKER®. You can use it on your computer, via your mobile’s internet connection or via an SMS alert.

When services are disrupted, tramTRACKER® will display a message and show a disruption icon. An icon will also appear to indicate air conditioned trams when the temperature is above 25 degrees. You can personalise the results to show you individual routes, or to only show low floor trams.

Resources Yarra Trams – including tramTRACKER® information T: 1800 800 007 W: www.yarratrams.com.au

Maps of the metropolitan tram network Public Transport Victoria T: 1800 800 007 (TTY: 9619 2727) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au

Riding a bicycle While cycling may not be the front of mind transport choice for many seniors, the advances in bicycle design and bicycle network and support services makes it a viable option.

Riding a bicycle is an appealing activity for seniors as it improves cardiovascular fitness while being low impact on the hips, knees and other joints. It is suitable for all levels of ability and is a social and enjoyable activity that can be incorporated easily into day-to-day life.

Riding your bicycle in Maroondah Maroondah City Council produces a Parks & Parks brochure that details cycling networks throughout Maroondah, with links to the broader cycle path network.

This brochure is available from any of Council’s Service Centres. Bicycle Network Victoria Bicycle Network Victoria is a charitable organisation that aims to get ‘More People Cycling More Often’. They offer a wealth of information to support people wishing to cycle.

As a member, you will be covered by injury and third party liability insurance as well as being informed up upcoming events.

Electric bicycles Electric bicycles have a rechargeable electric battery that provides power to the back wheel when the rider needs extra assistance.

If you are concerned about balance, there are also electric trikes available.

Any bicycle store should be able to talk to you about what form of electric bicycles that best suit your needs.

Taking your bicycle on the train Bikes can be carried for free on metropolitan trains.

It is advised that cyclists do not use the first carriage and store a bicycle in the area reserved for people with mobility aids.

Bicycles can be carried free on V/Line trains, if there is space available.

Please note you cannot take your bike on trams or buses.

Resources Maroondah’s Parks & Paths brochure Maroondah City Council T: 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598 W: www.maroondah.vic.gov.au

Bicycle Network Victoria T: 8376 8888 W: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au

RACV Bicycle Roadside Assist T: 13 72 28 W: www.racv.com.au

Bicycle road rules (VicRoads) T: 13 11 71 E: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au Catching a taxi

Booking a taxi When you book a taxi, your request is stored on a computer and dispatched to the next available cab. The taxi company keeps a record and can trace the individual taxi and driver if needed. In metropolitan Melbourne you have a choice of taxi companies you can book through. See a list of taxi companies in Resources.

Prepaid fares Taxi fares must be prepaid for all trips between 10pm and 5am.

Multi Purpose Taxi Program The Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) makes transport more accessible for Victorians with a severe and permanent disability, by offering members half price taxi fares.

An MPTP card is valid for six years and pays up to $60 per trip.

To become a member of the Multi Purpose Taxi Program, both you and your doctor have to fill in an application form for assessment.

Travelling with a mobility aid Please notify the taxi company that you are using a mobility aid when you make a booking.

Resources 13CABS T: 132 227 W: www.13cabs.com.au

Platinum Taxi T: 9090 1800 W: www.platinumtaxi.com.au

Silver Top Taxis T: 131 008 W: www.silvertop.com.au West Suburban Taxis T: 9689 1144 W: www.westsuburbantaxis.com.au

Please make sure you request a wheelchair accessible taxi if required.

Victorian Taxi Directorate (Multi Purpose Taxi Program) Eligibility and application form from Victorian Taxi Directorate T: 1800 638 802 W: www.transport.vic.gov.au/taxis/mptp Community transport services

Eastern Volunteers Eastern Volunteers provides volunteer assisted community transport to the frail aged and people with disabilities to attend social outings, medical appointments and other activities.

Eastern Transport Register The Eastern Transport Register is a vehicle sharing register that operates across the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne.

It offers transport options for the elderly, as well as people with disabilities and their carers.

Red Cross Patient Transport Service This is a service for people who are isolated and have limited transport options to attend essential medical appointments.

Resources Eastern Volunteers – Volunteer Assisted Transport T: 9870 7822 W: www.easternvolunteers.org.au

Eastern Transport Register T: 9879 6972 W: www.etr.com.au

Red Cross Patient Transport Service T: 1800 246 850. W: www.redcross.org.au

Home and Community Care Maroondah City Council’s Home and Community Care (HACC) programs support people whose capacity for independent living is at risk, or who are at risk of premature or inappropriate admission to long term residential care.

People who are eligible to receive HACC services are frail older people, and people with a disability and their carers. Services are provided on the basis of eligibility, assessed need and within service resources.

The Social Support Program that forms part of the services offered to eligible HACC clients includes fortnightly trips to Eastland as well as frequent visits to local libraries.

These programs are a great way for HACC clients to continue to be involved in their community and to enhance their wellbeing. Resources Home and Community Care services and eligibility T: 9294 5729 W: www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/HACC.aspx

Plan your trip There are many useful websites and mobile phone applications to help you plan your trip.

They allow you to view service times and provide step by step guide to reaching your destination in the quickest and most direct way. Journey Planner The Public Transport Victoria journey planner can be accessed through their website or an application can be downloaded on to your mobile. Resources Public Transport Victoria Journey Planner T: 1800 800 007 (6am to midnight) W: www.ptv.vic.gov.au.

Acknowledgements This guide has been prepared by Maroondah City Council in partnership with the VicRoads SaferRoads Program.

We would like to thank the following departments and agencies for their contribution towards this publication:

Major sponsor Ventura

Supporters Public Transport Victoria Metro Trains Yarra Trams V/Line

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this Guide is correct at time of printing. Language assistance To communicate with Maroondah City Council in a language other than English, call our Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on T:131 450 and ask them to contact 9294 5729 on your behalf.

Hearing & speech impaired Call Maroondah City Council via the National Relay Service on:

T: 133 677

Metro translating service Metro offers a translating service for public transport users. Please call the number below for language support: T: 9321 5450 At your service

City Offices Service Centre Braeside Avenue, Ringwood

Eastland Service Centre Level 2, Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood

Croydon Service Centre Civic Square, Croydon

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS): 131 450

National Relay Service (NRS): 133 677

1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598 www.maroondah.vic.gov.au