Volunteer companions are now available to accompany people from the Flinders Street Station and the Southern Cross Station train and bus terminals to health care appointments in central Melbourne.
What Does The Project Do? As part of this program, Travellers Aid volunteers meet passengers at the Flinders Street Station and the Southern Cross Station train and bus platforms, and accompany them to their Melbourne health care appointments and back again. Passengers have the choice of using taxis, trams or buses whilst in Melbourne, and the volunteer companions will be experienced in using all three modes of transport. The Melbourne Medical Companion Project's aim is to improve access for many people who live in rural Victoria, who are frail, disabled, ill, or anxious about their journey, as well as encouraging many people to consider using public transport to attend their health care appointments instead of using the family car.
It is Free The Melbourne Medical Companion Project is free to the general public, due to the wonderful support of volunteers. The program is designed to take the worry out of travelling to Melbourne for health care.
Help Is Only A Phone Call Away People interested in accessing the volunteer-assisted service when travelling to Melbourne should telephone Travellers Aid on 1300 700 399 at least 24 - 48 hours prior to their expected travel date.
Regional Assistance If travellers also need a volunteer to accompany them on the bus or train from their rural town to Melbourne, then a small number of rural volunteers from the Gannawarra and Swan Hill municipalities are available. For more information, please refer to the Regional Companions tab on the left hand side of this webpage.
Tram Information If travellers feel comfortable making their own way from Southern Cross Station to their medical appointment in Melbourne, but just need information on how to utilize the tram network, then please refer to the 'Melbourne Hospitals' or 'Specialist's Rooms' tabs on this website. |