We explore public transport solutions and provide some helpful advice for those with mobility aids.

Bus travel
Around 99% of buses carry people in their wheelchairs. The driver will tilt the bus sideways to reduce the angle of entry and then fold out the entrance floor onto the ground to form a ramp. The driver will, upon request, assist you up the ramp and onto the bus. There are foldup seats on either side of the bus close to the front of the bus that can be lifted to allow you space in which to park out of the way of other passengers. Don’t forget to tap on with your Myki.

Train travel
Await the train arrival at or near to where the front of the train stops in plain view of the train driver when he arrives at the station. There is often a disabled sign painted on the edge of the platform approximately where the front passenger door will stop. The driver will get out of the train and set up a ramp for you to board the train. The driver will ask which station you wish to travel to and assist you to alight by laying down the ramp at your destination. Some stations have raised platforms which enable you to either board or alight on your own.

Tram travel
One can only travel with a wheelchair or scooter on Low Platform Trams on lines that have matching low platform stops. These are limited at the moment to lines that go from the City to Melbourne University, Box Hill and Port Melbourne. They are simple to board or alight from as
the tram floors closely align with the platforms. The trams have designated open areas for wheelchairs and scooters.

Good advice from user experience:
Buses;
• Best (safest) to park with your wheelchair facing the rear to avoid being thrown forward if
the bus is forced to brake hard,
• If you are riding a smaller scooter hang on to the side rail to help stability when going around
corners,

Trains
• Move right into the wheelchair parking spaces and clear of the doorways,
• Note the arrangements are not the same in some other states.