Accessible Public Transport In Victoria - Action Plan 2006-12
| The Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2006-12 provides a long term strategy for delivering accessible bus, train, tram and taxi services throughout Victoria. | |
Information on this page
Overview
It is important that all Victorians can access public transport including people with disabilities, the elderly and frail and parents with prams. Almost 20 per cent of Victorians have a disability and ageing patterns show that this figure is expected to increase in the years ahead.
Victoria's initial Action Plan for Accessible Public Transport was released in 1998. This plan was part of the Victorian Government's commitment to meeting the Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Federal
Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport which were subsequently approved in 2002.
In the years since, the Government and public transport operators have made good progress towards complying to the standards and Act. See
Progress to date.
The Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2006-12 was released in September 2006 to provide the next steps for meeting or exceeding the requirements set out in the Federal standards.
The highest priorities for the coming years are:
- access paths, ramps, Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs), waiting areas and stairs on the metropolitan rail network
- more platform stops in medians and high use locations, TGSIs at tram stops and boarding of Melbourne trams
- TGSIs and paving at bus stops in Melbourne and regional areas
- access paths, ramps, TGSIs, lighting, furniture and hearing augmentation on the V/Line network
- improved response times for wheelchair accessible taxis.
If you require a copy of the previous Action Plan for Accessible Public Transport,
contact the Public Transport Division.
Progress to date
The Department of Transport annually monitors and reports on the implementation of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT). The Department requires all operators and project managers to provide information regarding their level of compliance with the standards each year.
More information is available on the
Progress towards Accessible Public Transport 2005-06 requirements.
Results of progress audits
The documents below summarise progress against the DSAPT, expressed as a percentage of the infrastructure or vehicles that meet each of the 30 requirements. These results are calculated from audits carried out in that particular financial year.
The summary tables listed below show the significant achievements that have been made towards accessible public transport, in many areas exceeding the time requirements of the DSAPT.
System-wide initiatives are underway that should meet the milestones in the areas of symbols, signs and information (implemented by Metlink) and payment of fares (implemented by the Transport Ticketing Authority through the new myki ticketing system). Continuing Bus Replacement Programs and further train and tram acquisitions programs will ensure that compliance continues to progress towards the milestones for all standards relating to conveyances.
Rich Text Format (RTF) of each document is provided for accessibility. If you still have issues please
contact the Public Transport Division.
Notable achievements
Specific notable achievements for improving public transport accessibility include:
- introducing low-floor trams and constructing tram platform stops across the tram network. See Tram stops
- introducing new fully-compliant trains on the metropolitan rail system (X’Trapolis and Siemens trains) and on the regional rail network (V/Locity railcars). Other than the remaining six older Hitachi trains, the metropolitan rail fleet is fully compliant. See New and refurbished trains and trams
- all new works and services coming into operation since 2002, all of which are fully compliant with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
- upgrades or refurbishment of Jolimont, Southern Cross, Flinders Street and North Melbourne stations including providing Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant infrastructure. See Train station upgrades
- introducing new bus stops and services on SmartBus routes from Frankston to Ringwood (Route 901) , Mordialloc to Altona (Route 903) and along Blackburn, Springvale, and Wellington roads.
- introducing low-floor buses on metropolitan and regional services at a rate of 90 a year through the Bus Replacement Program.
- introducing interchangeable hoists on regional coaches.
- upgrades of metropolitan and regional bus/train interchanges.
- rolling out a major DDA compliant signage program throughout the Melbourne metropolitan area.
- rolling out significant annual works programs of minor DDA compliance projects such as improved handrails and non-slip surfaces on station ramps, installing tactile ground surface indicators at railway stations and marking of priority seats at railway stations.
The way forward
The Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2006-12 lists what is required to maintain progress on relevant issues for accessibility and to meet milestones set out in the
Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
Policy and planning
DOT's
Public Transport Division (PTD) ensures that Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements are incorporated into every public transport project as it is developed.
PTD has an Accessibility Unit with expertise in DDA compliance and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT). It also supports the Minister for Transport’s
Public Transport Access Committee (PTAC), which is chaired by the Director of Public Transport, and represents PTD on national jurisdictional and consultative committees.
Information
Metlink is primarily responsible for providing information provision for public transport in Victoria. It coordinates the provision of maps, timetables, web-based services, information, phone lines, advertising, marketing, signage, shops and ticket sellers.
Ticketing
A
new ticketing system for public transport will be implemented across all forms of public transport in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Provision for compliance with DSAPT is included in the ticketing contract specification.
The
Transport Ticketing Authority is responsible for delivering the new system and is addressing access and DDA compliance issues.
Monitoring and reporting
Monitoring and reporting on progress is an important component of ensuring progress continues.
Metropolitan trains
Connex provides suburban rail services on
Melbourne’s suburban train network under a partnership agreement with the Victorian Government.
Melbourne trams
Yarra Trams provides
Melbourne's tram services under a partnership agreement with the Victorian Government.
Melbourne and regional buses
This includes:
Regional trains and coaches
The V/Line Passenger Corporation, which is managed by the Victorian Government provides
country rail services, operates some road coach services directly and manages other contracted services that use the same infrastructure and livery, ticketing, stops and booking systems.
Taxis
See
Taxis and hires cars and
Taxi accessibility for more information on Victoria's taxi operations.
Obtaining copies of the 2006-12 Action Plan
Electronic versions of Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2006-12, released in September 2006, are available:
If you are unable to access either of these documents please
contact the Public Transport Division.