We are excited that V/Line has joined the global Sunflower network to support its customers with hidden disabilities and deliver excellent service that is empathetic, considerate and informed. Implementing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower forms a part of V/Line’s 2022 to 2025 Accessibility Action Plan and aims to support the Victorian Government’s Accessible Public Transport in Victoria Action Plan 2020 to 2024.
Tricia Maloney, Chief Accessibility Advocate, Department of Transport Victoria says:
The Sunflower program is a wonderful program, because it means my community is fully involved in accessing public transport.
Matt Carrick, Chief Executive Officer, explains:
"V/Line is committed to delivering a modern, high-performing railway and coach service as part of an inclusive, integrated and sustainable Victorian transport system. The accessibility of the network continues to be a vital focus of that vision.
V/Line is involved in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program because cessibility is a priority foir our organisatrion. When you think oabout who our passengers are, 1 in 5 Victorians have a disability, but 80 per cent of those have a hidden disability."
In this video, Matt Carrick and passengers with hidden disabilities outline the importance of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to them:
About V/Line
V/Line is an operating agency of the Department of Transport and has provided public transport services to regional Victoria for over 30 years. Each week, V/Line schedules more than 2200 train services between Melbourne and:
- Geelong and Warrnambool
- Ballarat, Maryborough and Ararat
- Bendigo, Swan Hill and Echuca
- Seymour, Shepparton and Albury
- Traralgon, Sale and Bairnsdale.
More than 1,500 V/Line coach services connect with the rail network and serve regional Victorian communities.