A new booking system for passengers using mobility aids on V/Line’s long-distance services is now available.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams announced the news last month, stating that the new booking system would enable passengers with mobility aids to plan ahead and improve their overall travel experience.
“We’re delivering a fairer regional rail network and will continue to work closely with passengers as we make further accessibility improvements in the future,” she said.
“By giving the option to pre-book an accessible space for a mobility aid, passengers can book with greater confidence when planning their long-distance journey.”
The new initiative will be rolled out across all long-distance reserved trains on the V/Line network, including Albury, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill, and Warrnambool services.
Passengers can reserve a space for their mobility aid online, at a station, ticketing agent, or by phone.
The booking system will also notify V/Line staff, giving them the opportunity to plan and provide extra assistance ahead of time.
It will run alongside V/Line’s long-standing partnership with Travellers Aid, who provide support to individuals with accessibility requirements at four stations: Flinders Street, Seymour, Southern Cross, and recently, the Ballarat Station.
V/Line is also progressively rolling out VLocity trains onto the network, ensuring a more reliable and accessible train service network on the Albury, Bairnsdale, and Shepparton lines, with Warrambool soon to be added to the list.
The $4 billion Regional Rail Revival program also includes important upgrades at V/Line stations, which will help further improve the accessibility of the regional network.
V/Line Chief Executive Matt Carrick stated that the new initiatives would ensure passengers from all across the state would have access to an inclusive transportation network.
“This is another step towards better supporting the travel needs of our passengers as we continue delivering improvements that help ensure we offer a safe, reliable, and accessible service to regional communities,” he said.
To reserve a ticket on V/Line services, please visit https://www.vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets.
