Inside the CivVic Labs Transport Access Cohort

CivVic Labs startups are working on new ways to make public transport more accessible in our latest challenge with Department of Transport.

The cohort spans everything from an autonomous robot that seamlessly aligns and docks with doors on trains, to a mobile app that helps blind and low vision passengers hail and stop buses.

The ten teams have secured $15,000 in equity-free funding, and will now work through a six-week design sprint to test their ideas with the Department of Transport and Victoria’s transport operators.

At the end of the program, two startups will be awarded an additional $35,000 in seed funding to continue developing their solutions, supporting the 1 in 5 Victorians impacted by a disability.

The startups through to the latest round are:

Button

Button allows users to hail a bus from a bus stop and activate the stop button while the bus is in motion, all from their mobile device.

Founded by Jason Woelfl

Care2Travel

A platform helping provide in-transit companionship, connecting those who are willing to provide support with those who need it most.

Founded by Ashish Manchanda and Hakeem Quadri

Neuwo

Helping reduce anxiety for neurodiverse passengers through a trip planning tool for public transport.

Founded by Kuldeep Jangid and Saumya Mutneja

DHI-AI

Helping Customer Service staff from Public Transport operators deliver more accurate and helpful information to passengers.

Founded by Harsh Joshi, Kenn Rodrigues and Hannah Fraser

Paxmesh

A multilingual chat-bot designed to democratize information accessibility in public transport systems.

Founded by Jessica Pietsch

Navability

A navigation platform helping people with a disability get from A to B in the most effective way, based on their accessibility requirements.

Founded by Ali Kafaei and Harmohit Singh

Microfleet

A universal smart parking and charging system for light electric vehicles that will benefit Mobility Vehicle Users.

Founded by Al Reid

Waypal

An AI-powered navigation app, which offers personalized journey planning and interfaces tailored to individual user requirements.

Founded by Arian Sohi and Mahsa Azimzadeh

Rampey

An autonomous mobile robot that seamlessly aligns and docks with doors on trains, buses, and trams.

Founded by Damien Irving and Jay Davey

Sprightly

A user-centred driver and passenger display system helping make travel on buses safer and more enjoyable.

Founded by Brett Werner

The current challenge with DTP focuses on making access to the public transport network equitable for all passengers, particularly those impacted by blindness, low vision, deafness, mobility issues, and neurological or psychological disabilities.

In August 2023, DTP conducted extensive research into the customer journeys of people with disabilities using public transport, revealing significant challenges, including high time and cost penalties for travel, on-network stress points, and a lack of real-time community-level information sharing.

Over the next six weeks, CivVic Labs will offer an unparalleled opportunity for startups to work closely with DTP and relevant stakeholders, addressing these challenges and contributing to the creation of a more inclusive and equitable public transport system.