Public transport needs to be ‘senior-friendly’

Government agencies need to work closely to give public transport commuters an “accessible journey”, allowing them to travel from ‘A to B’ with ease.

A study by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), released last week, indicates Victoria’s public transport system is failing to cater for elderly, disabled and mobility challenged commuters.

The council claims there are “critical breakdowns” in the State’s transport infrastructure, making parts of the system inaccessible to everyone from mums with prams to elderly shoppers.

VCOSS chief executive, Cath Smith, told DPS eNews the report looks at the extent to which individual, technical improvements were needed to improve the concept of “accessible journeys”, where commuters are able to travel from one place to the next without difficulty.

In light of Australia’s ageing society and growing population, Ms Smith says the report demonstrates a clear need for a shift in thinking of government, public transport agencies and the wider community.

“We need local and state governments across the board to sit down together to help people get from ‘A to B’,” Ms Smith claims.

“We need to get the public transport division together and lock them in a room to get a plan going so people will be able to experience an accessible journey,” she adds.

Ms Smith says while the government is gradually rolling out platform stops for commuters, they are being rolled out at “different speeds”

She says it has been an “eye-rolling issue” in Melbourne, with lots of money being spent, but claims people still cannot get from ‘A to B’.

“Some people who are older and used to driving have now given up their driving licences and often rely on public transport. Their physical strength to be able to get to a bus stop may not be as easy; this is a broader planning issue,” Ms Smith says.

“And as physical access gets increasingly difficult, people may end up not going out – and this is not right,” she adds.

Ms Smith says if the journey cannot provide a continuously accessible path from beginning to end, then it could not be used, “regardless of how many pieces of compliant infrastructure exist along the way”.

Calling for a radical overhaul of the way public transport planners think about accessibility and design, Ms Smith says the time has come for an “adaptable and multi-use system” that can cater for a variety of people and purposes, which are likely to change over time.

How the system is letting commuters down, according to the Creating Accessible Journeys report:

• Train stations built without ramps;
• Uneven train and tram platforms making it impossible for some commuters to board by themselves;
• Locked toilets with disability access at train stations;
• People requiring wheelchair access are forced to book places on trains and buses when other commuters do not have to;
• Raised platform tram-stops that no accessible trams go past, and not recording low-floor trams on timetables and;
• An alleged ‘confusing maze’ of concessions and travel passes.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria chief executive, Sue Hendy, told DPS eNews she agrees with Ms Smith’s views, suggesting there are issues of accessibility in the State’s transport system which should be addressed.

“Buses, and trams, especially, are taking off before people are seated, with older people landing on the floor and some sustaining serious injuries,” Ms Hendy says.

According to Ms Hendy, public transport is an “essential aspect” of remaining socially connected, and claims ramps at bus and train stations are not present, or too steep, and lifts are breaking down at some stations due to poor quality and upkeep.

“The system also needs to rethink its structure,” she says. “It was designed for people to come to the city for work, but we need a system for the public, including the broad range of people with mobility difficulties, which includes those who cannot drive,” she adds.

A rethink about the value of public transport is what Ms Hendy would most like to see.

“The system needs to be safe, affordable and accessible. Connectivity of the system will greatly assist as well, so that we integrate timetables, stations, pathways, with accessible transport,” she says.

She would also like to see seating at transit or vehicle stops for waiting passengers, improvements to the training of staff so they are “attentive to the needs of people with mobility difficulties”, and sheltered areas for people with disabilities in wheelchairs. Sufficient light and signage is also essential, according to Ms Hendy.

The Herald Sun last week reported how Opposition Transport spokeswoman, Fiona Richardson, accused the Baillieu government of slashing programs to improve access to public transport by 75%.

“The Liberals should try spending a day in the life of an elderly or disabled commuter to appreciate the impact of their decision to slash funding to disability access,” Ms Richardson says.

However, a Transport Department spokesman refutes the Opposition’s claims, suggesting the state government is “committed to providing an accessible public transport system” for all Victorians, and is working closely with operators to improve connectivity and accessibility across all modes.

There are plans to build 26 new accessible tram stops and the arrival of 50 new low floor trams are reportedly scheduled by the end of next year.

What are your thoughts on the nation’s public transport system? Do you think it needs to be more ‘senior-friendly’?