COTA Victoria has begun working more closely with Yarra Trams, bringing you important updates and helping to ensure that tram services are adequately meeting the needs of Victoria’s ageing population. This is where you come in!
Take a moment to think about the many different aspects of tram travel, for example:
- managing tickets and fares
- checking timetables
- accessing tram stops
- boarding and riding trams
- identifying stops while in transit
- disembarking trams
- interacting with tram drivers and other Yarra Trams officers.
Now consider the following questions:
- How well do you think these aspects of tram travel are currently working for older people?
- Are there barriers preventing you from using tram services at the moment? If so, what would it take to make these services more accessible to you?
- What three things would you change to make Yarra Trams services more age friendly?
- What would help you to deal with unplanned changes? Over the past few months, four industrial action strikes have led to disruptions right across the network, while protests around the CBD mean some trams have to terminate early. As an example, Yarra Trams have advised that they are required to order taxis to assist passengers with limited mobility at these times. We aren’t sure how many people know about this arrangement though, or how well it is currently working.
If you have feedback about the usability of tram services for older people, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with our Policy Officer, Lauren Henley, to share your insights. Lauren can be contacted by phone on 9655 2140, or via email at LHenley@cotavic.org.au. This is not a time-limited opportunity, so please feel free to get in touch whenever you need to.
