State Government to boost spending for disabled commuters

13/6/03
Western Australia continues to lead the way in making public transport more accessible for people with disabilities.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said ongoing initiatives included upgrades to bus and train stations and major improvements to regional public transport.
"One in five people have some form of disability and the State Government is committed to making it easier for these people to use our public transport system," Ms MacTiernan said.
"For example, upgrades to Transperth stations will make using buses and trains a more pleasurable experience for people with physical, intellectual or other disabilities."
Another $1.5million will be spent at 11 Transperth bus stations on the provision of tactile ground surface indicators, access ramps, handrails, high-visibility colour contrast painting, improved lighting and pedestrian pathways, facilities and signage.
These improvements will be made to the Wellington Street, Rockingham, Kwinana, Karrinyup, Curtin, Booragoon, Success, Murdoch, Mirrabooka, Morley and Kalamunda bus stations.
Transperth trains are already providing easy access facilities for people with disabilities.
"To complement this, and as part of the State Government's $30million Better Stations Program, three metropolitan stations are being redesigned and modified to ensure easy access for everyone," Ms MacTiernan said.
More than $15million of the Better Stations Program will be spent this financial year on Armadale, Claremont, Gosnells and Bassendean stations with specific initiatives including:

• accessible parking and drop-off points, and pedestrian facilities - including kerb ramps and paths;

• installation of ramps where lifts are not available;

• information available in both visual and audio formats, including audio loops(short-range radio transmissions that can be heard by people wearing hearing aids); and -

• good signage, including tactile and Braille signage.

A further $1.02million will also be spent on improving access at the smaller stations of McIver, Mosman Park and Swanbourne.
Sophisticated lift and escalator systems at a cost of $1.6million will be installed in new stations at Victoria Park, Greenwood, Currambine and Clarkson as well as at upgraded Armadale, Bassendean and Perth stations.
"The lifts have special features that will enable everyone to use them," Ms MacTiernan said.
"These features include wider doors to accommodate wheelchairs as well as lower control panels.
"The lift panels have back-lit buttons and Braille translations to help the visually impaired and glass walls allow for better visibility in getting safely in and out."
Installation will start at Bassendean station in July this year.
Stations on the urban network also have a help/security telephone, while Transperth offers a freecall number (1800 800 022) that people can call if they require personalised customer service.
Transwa, (which replaces the WA Government Railways' country passenger division), has gone to great lengths to ensure the needs of passengers with disabilities are properly met in its new coach fleet.
Each of the 20 new large capacity coaches can seat 56 passengers. Three seats can be removed to accommodate two wheelchairs.
The coaches have a wheelchair lift at the central side door and wheelchairs can be safely fixed to the floor so the passenger need not shift into a seat.
There is also improved leg-room, an audio loop (a localised transmission which can be picked up by hearing aids) and a 'kneeling' function that lowers the body of the coach by about 120mm.
Features to help the visually impaired include raised numbering on the seats, yellow handrails and brightly contrasting coloured strips on steps.
The new Prospector and AvonLink railcars will have wheelchair access via powered ramps, specially designed toilets, special areas for wheelchair for stabling and anchoring, audio induction loop in the passenger compartments and braille and tactile signage throughout the railcars.
"Improving the accessibility of transport infrastructure for people with disabilities also benefits parents with prams, people with luggage, people with injuries and seniors," Ms MacTiernan said.
Minister's office: 9213 6400