Transport Connections Program

The Transport Connections Program (TCP) 2010-2013, is a Victorian Government initiative that supports local people and organisations to work together to improve access to education, health, employment and social opportunities for transport disadvantaged communities.

The program plays an important role in improving social and economic participation for communities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan areas. By working with local people to identify access and transport needs (excluding public transport*), TCP projects are able to pilot local solutions.

Aim of the Program

To develop innovative and efficient responses to the needs of people with limited transport options, and to improve access to services, resources, employment and community participation opportunities.

Objectives

• Develop innovative transport and non-transport solutions to improve access and participation for people with limited access to transport.
• Generate more effective and efficient use of existing transport resources.
• Establish sustainable local and regional partnerships for delivering transport and access outcomes.
• Increase the capacity of communities to participate in decision making and priority setting activities to improve social and economic outcomes.

The program is currently in the final year of its third phase, and is focussed on sustainability in local projects, and evaluating the outcomes of the program as a whole.

Transport Connections - Projects

Transport Connections funds 34 projects (PDF 374 KB) throughout rural, regional and outer metropolitan areas in Victoria. 

The Department of Planning and Community Development provides funding to local organisations such as councils and community organisations which are uniquely placed to deliver projects and initiatives that address transport disadvantage in their communities.

A range of case studies showing how Transport Connections projects work across the regions are available at the links below:

• Barwon South West
• Eastern Metro
• Gippsland
• Grampians
• Hume
• Loddon Mallee
• North West Metro
• Southern Metro  

Innovation Fund

The Innovation Fund was launched in September 2011 by Peter Ryan MLA, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development.

The Local ($75,000) and Regional ($85,000) streams of the Innovation Fund provided existing Transport Connections projects with targeted, negotiated grants to develop innovative local responses to access issues that have been identified in transport disadvantaged communities.

Lack of access to services and facilities has been shown to have an adverse impact on a person's educational outcomes, employment opportunities, levels of social and recreational activity, health outcomes, and much more.

A person may not be able to access services and facilities for a range of reasons, including,

• language, health or age barriers, or discriminative practices
• disability or mobility difficulties
• a lack of information about available or alternative services, or how to use them
• inability to afford available transport (including public and private transport)
• limited or no public transport services available

Innovation Fund initiatives focus on a range of priority areas, including:

• outreach models
• virtual access
• active transport
• community transport
• private transport, and
• community information and education.

Transport Connections Bulletin

Contact us

For further details please contact:

Regional Teams for rural and regional project sites

Transport Connections for outer metropolitan project sites