Public transport information hub to close in Geelong

A hub providing public transport information to passengers is set to close, with concerns raised about how bus users will be affected.

The PTV kiosk in Westfield Geelong.

                              

The Public Transport Victoria (PTV) hub in Westfield Geelong is set to close, with advocates raising concerns this will create an information void for some bus users.

The hub will close on September 30 and be replaced by a pop-up service model, which will see stalls at major events throughout the city.

Jarred Crowe, convener of the Public Transport Users Association’s Geelong branch, said bus passengers would be the most affected by the change.

“When I was talking to the Department of Transport they were planning for train stations to be the primary point of contact for most public transport information,” he said.

“I highlighted that bus information is not readily available and V/Line and metro staff aren’t trained in giving bus advice.

“Bus passengers, especially those who don’t use phones, will be most impacted.

“Being able to get a paper timetable and talk to someone about which routes go where, unless there is increased training at train stations, will be lost, and only substituted by special events.”

Mr Crowe said having a hub and pop-up stalls would be the ideal solution.

“We think good customer service being readily available with a human touchpoint is crucial to a good public transport network,” he said.

“We are wholeheartedly supportive of the special events model as well because it will potentially introduce more people to the public transport network who may not be familiar with it at present.”

Public Transport Users Association believes a PTV information hub near the Moorabool St bus exchange would be an ideal option for customer service. Picture: Peter Ristevski

He said the association was “never in favour” of the Westfield site location and had pushed to get it moved to Moorabool St near the bus exchange.

However, he said the staff at the Westfield site were fantastic and it was a “shame” to lose the resource.

A Department of Transport and Planning spokesman said public transport hubs were transitioning to a customer service pop-up model across the state.

He said the transition would give more Victorians access to PTV services and customer support.

The pop-up model already operates at Station Pier during cruise ship season, which the department described as a flexible and responsive approach for thousands of visitors to Victoria.

It is understood PTV services will be made available at events such as university open days or the Festival of Sails.

Customers can access information relating to ticketing inquiries and journey plans via the PTV app, ptv.vic.gov.au or 1800 800 007.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Public transport information hub to close in Geelong