Working together to assist people at Southern Cross Station

Travellers Aid Australia provides support to travelers, including people with special needs and those facing unexpected emergency situations, at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station.

In late 2010, Wilson Security officers and Travellers Aid Australia staff at Southern Cross Station joined forces to commence a six month trial providing additional support for Travellers Aid Australia’s buggy transport, manual wheelchair access and personal guidance service. To ensure safe passage, people who are frail, aged, or with a disability can pre-book a buggy to pick them up at their train, bus or taxi platform and drop them off elsewhere within Southern Cross Station.

To assist with the service, Travellers Aid Australia provided training to 15 Wilson Security officers on topics such as promoting social inclusion and independence in clients, and encompassing the values of dignity, compassion, and fairness when providing services. The officers were also trained in the skills required to provide physical assistance to people using the service.

The Wilson Security officers involved to date have enjoyed the variety in their job roles and have also valued the insights they are gaining into the everyday travel issues affecting senior travellers, people with disabilities, and those with limited mobility. Travellers Aid Australia staff have enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate closely with Wilson Security staff, and look forward to continuing to do so in the future.

A Travellers Aid staff member and a Wilson Security officer with one of the transport buggies at Southern Cross Station.

Travellers Aid Australia at Southern Cross Station is located opposite the Luggage Hall. It is open from 7am to 10pm. For additional information visit www.travellersaid.org.au.