The rail industry, through the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), united on 3 December for the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people travelling on rail with a disability and to promote a number of initiatives that have been put in place to improve access to rail services.
Chief Executive Officer of the ARA, Bryan Nye OAM, said more people are using rail as their preferred mode of transport every day and railway operators continue to work to provide greater access to services for everyone.
“A number of ARA members are implementing strategies to ensure greater accessibility to services and facilities not only for IDPwD but permanently across the network,” said Mr Nye.
“Metro Trains Melbourne for example has developed the ‘Stop Here’ app that makes travelling on the network easier and more accessible for people with or without a disability. Using location technology on smart phones, Stop Here sends push notifications to let customers know when they are approaching and arriving at their desired stations, enabling vision and hearing impaired customers to no longer need to count stations while travelling on the train,” he said.
More broadly over the long term, the industry is currently conducting infrastructure improvements such as raised platforms and level access stops; communication enhancements; increased staff training and awareness; production of Station Access Guides and extra journey information; and use of accessible ramps for assistance to board or disembark trains.
During the event Mr Nye added: “Today in particular, rail will be on the front foot promoting to the public its efforts and strong commitment to this important cause.”
“For the entire week Yarra Trams for example, is delivering a number of activities to improve awareness of their staff and increase knowledge of the general public on how to travel on the Melbourne tram network including: mental health forums for frontline staff; an accessible transport race with a focus on visual impairment; and community engagement events to answer any questions from the public.
“The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) in South Australia will undertake a changing places exercise called ‘Willing and Able’ to understand and improve the experience of its customers with vision impairment or a physical disability and to consider what can be done better to improve its services,” he said.
“These activities are some examples of what is being implemented by train and tram operators across the country to improve accessibility. ARA and its members will continue to work with governments and customers to ensure that we provide accessible journeys for all customers,” Mr Nye concluded.
For more information on railway activities on IDPwD across the country please visit your relevant operator’s website. For more information about the industry’s initiatives to improve accessibility please visit www.ara.net.au. For more information on IDPwD in general please visit www.idpwd.com.au.
