Local transport in Victoria

Community Accessibility is using innovative technology to manage its fleet of community vehicles, providing better transport for vulnerable people so they can access the services they need.

A not-for-profit organisation, Community Accessibility provides volunteer drivers to transport people to medical appointments and social outings in the Hume and Grampians regions, as well as across the border in NSW. The region supports an ageing population and a number of disadvantaged residents for whom transport and accessibility is an issue. Community Accessability aims to promote social wellbeing and independence for these community members, connecting them with regional centres, health services and public transport.

The Department of Transport and Planning assisted Community Accessibility to investigate potential software solutions to better manage its community transport requirements. The One Network online booking and fleet management system utilises software database TRIPS and complements existing community transport services.

TRIPS is a cloud-based platform designed specifically for community service providers to store their data securely, optimise service delivery and meet compliance and reporting requirements. It provides for the management of drivers, fleet, scheduling, verifications, real time tracking, and SMS notification, giving providers the ability to instantly respond to the needs of clients.

Community Accessibility worked with CSIRO to customise and trial the technology over six months, going live in May 2020. Rollout was affected by the COVID pandemic and restrictions, which required services to be adapted to follow government health advice on social distancing. As a result, Community Accessibility actively sought partnerships with local community organisations to help solve gaps in transport and better utilise their vehicles.

One of these partnerships is with Murrundindi Shire Council, which is utilising the technology in its Moving Murrundindi program to connect volunteer drivers with people in need of a low-cost transport option to get to health services, social activities and transport hubs.

“This initiative is providing better transport solutions for vulnerable and older people by ensuring they can access the services they need to help build healthier and more connected communities,” said Jaclyn Symes, MP for Northern Victoria.

Since the technology was implemented, more than 3,000 clients have taken over 20,000 individual trips across the region to access medical appointments, shopping, community programs and activities, public transport, school and work. Clients include frail, older people, recently arrived refugees, people with disabilities and people without access to a vehicle or licence.

Senior citizen Shirley started using the Community Accessibility service after her husband passed away. She was finding it too hard to drive and get around and did not want to rely solely on neighbours to help her.

“Community Accessability drive me to the supermarket every week to get groceries and I also use the service for doctor appointments. Community Accessability has given me my independence,” Shirley said.

Nola, a volunteer driver, enjoys meeting different people and hearing their stories as she takes them to medical appointments and grocery shopping.

“It’s a rewarding thing you’re doing. We get as much out of it as the clients do,” said Nola. “Many people cannot afford taxis and public transport is not good in regional areas. Also public transport is not a viable option for many of our clients who use wheelchairs or walkers. Community Accessability provides door-to-door service.”

The technology has resulted in more integrated and efficient transport services, enabling trips to be coordinated across fewer vehicles and the most effective routes easily mapped out. This optimisation of trips creates greater capacity to take on more clients each day, enabling Community Accessibility to address the growing demand for community transport in rural and regional towns. It has also reduced fuel emissions and the organisation’s environmental impact.

Detailed data reporting is available through the system, which Community Accessability can utilise and share with key stakeholders to ascertain needs in each region, allowing for better planning of services in local government areas.

The online booking functionality creates an easier, more seamless process, and real time tracking of the vehicle gives an accurate ETA, providing a more positive experience for transport users. Tracking has also improved safety for drivers and clients by enabling Community Accessability to know where the vehicles are at all times. The system can also notify carers and family of the arrival and departure of clients.

Staff efficiencies in scheduling have also increased with the introduction of the online booking system and in-vehicle tablets. The technology facilitates immediate changes to runs and sends reminder messages to drivers ahead of their scheduled runs, with a link to the day’s route on Google Maps – all without the need for manual staff input. Automatic SMS reminders advise clients of approaching transport, reducing cancellations and ensuring transport resources can be reallocated to other clients in need. These efficiencies have allowed Community Accessability to reallocate staff to support client intake.

Two regional councils are taking different approaches to improve community transport in their municipalities.

Golden Plains Shire undertook a comprehensive study of local transport options to support future investment in transport, while Mount Alexander Shire piloted a community wellbeing bus to connect residents with facilities and services not available within the Shire.

Conducted by an independent external consultant, the Golden Plains Shire Transport Connections Study identified ways to address transport-related social exclusion, health and well-being, particularly for youth, older people and people with disabilities. It benchmarked the current transport options and identified gaps, opportunities, challenges and community transport needs within the Shire.

The study also examined the costs, purpose and destinations of existing services, service patronage and user demographics, key barriers and how services are promoted. This is informing Council’s transport advocacy and design of community transport services as part of a cohesive network.

The study drew on data and feedback from the Golden Plains Community Bus trial, which ran from July to December 2021. The bus service operated every Tuesday to and from Geelong waterfront via Teesdale, Inverleigh, Shelford, Bannockburn and Batesford. On Thursdays, the bus service travelled to and from Delacombe town centre and Wendouree in Ballarat, via Linton, Scarsdale and Smythesdale.

Cr Gavin Gamble, Golden Plains Shire Mayor, said that Council has heard a lot from residents about the need for improved transport options and connections between Bannockburn, Geelong and Ballarat.

“Our younger people, senior citizens, people with disabilities and people wishing to reduce transport carbon emissions are the main groups requesting better public transport provision,” he said. “There are also non-drivers who still need to get to work, services, or job interviews, and value their independence.”

The Transport Connections Study helped to increase community and stakeholder awareness of transport options, identified the needs created by population growth and provides a solid evidence base for advocacy and investment.

Mount Alexander Shire Council took a different tack to promote health and social inclusion through its community wellbeing bus service pilot, which connected eligible residents to facilities and services outside the Shire.

Residents who are unable to access a car or use public transport were able to travel on the 11-seater, wheelchair-accessible bus to the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre in Kangaroo Flat. The centre offers aquatic, leisure and wellness programs, including access to a 50-metre heated pool, fitness classes, health club, café, spa and sauna. These facilities are not available or accessible within Mount Alexander Shire.

Maree Edwards, Bendigo West MP, said that many people in the Shire feel disconnected through disability or age.

“The bus pilot provided residents with physical and mental health outcomes, as well as social engagement opportunities,” she said.

Significantly, the pilot helped Council evaluate whether this type of bus service meets the needs of the community for access to an aquatic centre, or whether investment into the construction of a centre closer to home is justified.

Ensuring good transport connectivity and access to health, education, employment and other services helps to improve the liveability and sustainability of smaller communities, and the wellbeing of residents. Providing access from neighbouring communities to expanded facilities can be a viable alternative to larger-scale investment.

A community bus service is providing Bass Coast and South Gippsland students with access to VET training and trade programs in the region, enabling young people to pursue trade careers.

Led by AGA Apprenticeships Plus and the South Gippsland Trade Skills Alliance, the bus service was first piloted in 2019 from Phillip Island to Leongatha, via Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Korumburra. This service operated a 57-seater chartered bus on Wednesdays and a 24-seater bus on Fridays to VET education providers, catering for 60 students over the two days. Additional services operated for students from Foster and Mirboo North secondary colleges.

A need for the service was identified following the closure of the building and construction VET program at Chisholm TAFE in Wonthaggi in 2017. The nearest providers, AGA in Korumburra and Federation Training and Community College Gippsland in Leongatha, are a considerable distance away. With limited public and private transport options available, students faced a commute of up to three hours, or no access at all to VET programs.

The Department of Transport and Planning brought together transport providers, stakeholders and local communities in the South Gippsland and Bass Coast Local Transport Forum. The forum looked at the gaps and opportunities highlighted in a local transport survey of over 600 community transport users and providers. It identified that existing school bus and public transport services for VET students were inadequate, and that direct and safe transport to education providers was needed. Local working groups were held to investigate specific issues and solutions.

Maintaining engagement of students looking for an alternative to secondary school and for employment pathways was a key consideration in developing a transport solution.

Lainie, who lives in Cape Woolamai and is a VCAL student at Wonthaggi Secondary College, has always wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a registered plumber. However, the closest training centre to deliver the VET Plumbing program is AGA Apprenticeships in Korumburra. With Lainie’s parents both working full-time, a two-hour drive each way to drop her off or pick her up is not feasible, and no public transport services are available.

“Without this bus service, Lainie would be unable to attend trade school,” said Jim Lees, VCAL/VET coordinator at Wonthaggi Secondary College.

Jackson lives in Cowes and is participating in a Construction Pathways Pre-Apprenticeship Program with AGA. He relies on the bus service to get to his training in Korumburra on Fridays. Through the program Jackson has found a placement with a carpenter on Phillip Island and is developing the skills and confidence to pursue a career in the building industry.

“Young people living in the area can miss out on these important career opportunities due to access to education,” said Michael Dixon, AGA Field Officer for South Gippsland. “It can force students to make undesirable choices because of accessibility and can result in disengagement from school and the community.”

Driven by strong community participation, the trial was so successful that it was extended in 2020. Bus sizes from Wonthaggi and Foster secondary colleges have doubled, and a new service from Korumburra Secondary College has been introduced. The Mirboo North bus is in such demand that there is currently a waiting list, and a bus from Leongatha is well-utilised by 30 students.

This type of service has proved to be a more cost-effective model than traditional route timetabled bus services, and consultation is now underway with other schools in the region to investigate the use of a similar model.

With a greater number of students able to travel to Korumburra and Leongatha, education providers can now offer more courses. Prior to the introduction of this bus service, many courses could not run due to low enrolment numbers. Students now have access to an additional 22 VET programs that would not otherwise be available – a great result for the region.

This local transport solution is improving access for South Gippsland students to training facilities, leading to increased secondary school retention rates and a greater take-up of apprenticeships. It is enabling students to pursue a trade career of choice and supporting longer-term economic and community benefits by securing trade skills in the region.

DoT has worked with AGA to ensure the service continues to run, improving equality of access for South Gippsland students to training in their region – proof of the power of partnership and collaboration to devise creative solutions and achieve community outcomes.

Case studies: Community transport in regional Victoria