Broad calls for transport app audit

NATIONALS Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has highlighted a foible in the Transport Victoria journey planner app that gives regional travellers a mere 60 seconds to change between V/Line and Metro services at Footscray Station.

“According to the app, that is a distance of only 20 metres, (possible) if you could fly between platforms,” she said.

“In reality, passengers must climb multiple sets of stairs, exit through the gates, descend again and swipe back through the barriers.

“For most commuters, especially those with luggage, mobility issues or children, one minute simply is not enough.”

Ms Broad said missing a V/Line service could mean waiting another hour for the next train, and a Public Transport Victoria staff member has confirmed that the anomaly is well known and regularly affects travellers.

She urged Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams to review the planner’s connection times.

“We need to ensure that they accurately reflect the time required for passengers to walk, not fly, between platforms,” she said.

“I’m keen to hear from people who have experienced issues with the app.”

Affected commuters can contact Ms Broad via mail (30 Queen Street Bendigo), email ([email protected]) or telephone (1300 423 553).

The journey planner app is promoted as a one-stop transit guide for Victoria’s trains, trams and buses that can also be used to register and top up Myki cards, switch to a mobile Myki digital smartcard, pay fares and save favourite routes and stops.