The Andrews Labor Government has re-established the Public Transport Access Committee (PTAC), to ensure Victoria’s public transport system continues to respond to the needs of all passengers.
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport Ros Spence and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure Shaun Leane, at the first meeting of the new Committee on 14 July.
The 11 member committee is chaired by Chris Stewart, a Disability Planner at the City of Greater Dandenong, and includes community advocates, disability and social workers, and community transport coordinators.
PTAC will provide the Labor Government and Public Transport Victoria (PTV) with independent advice on accessibility issues that affect a range of passengers, from people with disabilities, to those who find it hard to access public transport due to socio-economic barriers.
It will ensure the needs of all passengers are front and centre of transport planning and the operation of Victoria’s trains, trams and buses.
In addition to drawing on their own extensive personal and professional experience, PTAC will consult widely with relevant organisations, government agencies and the community, to identify and investigate transport accessibility issues.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport, Ros Spence
“PTAC brings together passionate, experienced advocates from across the disability, community and transport sectors to provide expert advice on issues that impact access to our public transport system.”
“It will provide honest, constructive feedback directly to Government and transport planners, to ensure our public transport system continues to become more accessible and more responsive to the needs of all passengers.
“The Victorian community is welcoming, inclusive and supportive, and PTAC will ensure our public transport system is too.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020