Kinetic partners with Whitehorse City Council to empower local residents

For many people, catching the bus is easy. But for some it can be confusing or overwhelming.

At Kinetic, we're committed to ensuring public transport remains accessible and easy to navigate for all which is why we’ve partnered with Whitehorse City Council in Melbourne's eastern suburbs to deliver valuable transport training directly to older Whitehorse residents via their Connect with Confidence - Public Transport Community Education Program.

The four-week program, hosted by Whitehorse Manningham Libraries and specifically designed for older residents in the Whitehorse council area, aimed to boost confidence and overcome barriers that prevent seniors from utilising public transport.

The interactive workshop brought a Kinetic bus directly to the library, providing participants with a comprehensive, hands-on experience. Attendees learned about local bus routes servicing the Whitehorse area, explored on-board safety features including CCTV systems, and gained practical knowledge about using myki cards and payment systems.

A highlight of the day was the opportunity for participants to meet the people behind the wheel - our dedicated bus drivers who keep our communities moving. This personal connection helped demystify the public transport experience and build relationships between drivers and passengers.

The Connect with Confidence program has been making a meaningful difference in participants' lives. As one participant from the program shared: "Please have more of these - valuable for older residents in the area. More connection, as some are lonely and isolated."

The program introduces participants to the public transport network and covers topics like journey planning, safety features on the network and where routes go.

Participants also undertake a digital literacy session hosted by Metro Trains staff with support from WML library staff where they can plan a journey using public transport. The knowledge gained in the sessions is then put into practice with the program culminating in the group making a journey on public transport.

This marks the second round of the program following a successful pilot in early 2025. Survey results have demonstrated the program's effectiveness, with participants reporting increased confidence in using public transport, improved perception of safety, greater understanding of transport technology, and - perhaps most importantly - enhanced social connections and quality of life.

"This isn't just about transport - it's about maintaining independence and community connections,” said Justin Rogers, Kinetic's General Manager - Customer Experience, who oversees Kinetic’s involvement in the program.

“We’re seeing people who hadn't caught a bus in years now travelling to appointments and social events in their local area and that is a terrific outcome.”

Kinetic remains committed to expanding these educational initiatives across Australia and breaking down barriers to public transport access for residents in the communities in which we operate.