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Assistance Available For Unhappy Travellers

Eastern Region MP Peter Hall is urging public transports users to make themselves aware of the role of the Public Transport Ombudsman.

By Peter Hall - 2nd August 2007 - Back to News

"The office of the Ombudsman has been established to assist people who have a complaint about any public transport provider," Mr Hall said.

The Nationals’ MP said it was important that any issues are directed first to the public transport provider, especially as locally based public transport providers are best placed to the resolve local problems.

"However, it is useful for public transport users to know that if they are not able to resolve issues at the local level, there is an opportunity to take it further through the Public Transport Ombudsman," Mr Hall said.

The Public Transport Ombudsman scheme receives, investigates and facilities the resolution of complaints brought against operators of public transport services in Victoria.

It is a free, independent and accessible dispute resolution scheme, which aims to resolve complaints and disputes informally and promptly. It does not, however, act as an advocate for either the complainant or the transport provider.

The scheme accepts complaints about the provision, or failure to provide public transport services, including punctuality, reliability and cancellations; ticketing issues, including ticket machines and validations; infrastructure and rolling stock; and the conduct or behavior of employees, agents or contractors, as well as other issues.

"Hopefully public transport users will rarely have major issues with the providers and if they do, one would hope sensible outcomes can be achieved at the local level," Mr Hall said.

"It does provide some peace of mind however to know that the Public Transport Ombudsman is available."

More information about the Ombudsman is available through Mr Hall’s office in Franklin Street Traralgon, freecall to the Ombudsman’s office on 1800 466 865 or on the web at www.ptovic.com.au

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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