Ministerial Statement: ALL ABOARD DISABILITY- FRIENDLY TRAINS

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
03/12/2008

ALL ABOARD DISABILITY- FRIENDLY TRAINS

Transport Minister John Mickel today marked International Day of People with Disability by welcoming the first revamped disability-friendly train at Roma Street station, along with representatives of disability organisations, to inspect a train that had been upgraded to current Disability Discrimination Act standards.

Mr Mickel said that the Queensland Government through TransLink Transit Authority, is investing $48.5 million to upgrade existing rollingstock on the rail network.

"The Queensland Government is working towards the Q2 objective of creating a fair Queensland for all," Mr Mickel said.

"QR are currently upgrading one, three car train set every 30 to 40 working days and they expect that the entire fleet will be upgraded by 2013."

The new trains that we are currently adding to the network already fitted to these new standards.

Mr Mickel said the first two upgraded trains were now ready to be introduced into service following a significant upgrade.

"International Day of People with Disability is an opportunity for us all to understand the access issues of people with disabilities," he said.

"The Queensland Government is serious about making rail services safer and stations more accessible.

"That's why we're investing a significant amount of money in upgrading trains and stations to improve access for all passengers, including people with disabilities," Mr Mickel said.

Mr Mickel said the upgraded trains would greatly improve accessibility for passengers with disabilities, particularly people with vision and mobility impairments.

"New Braille signage, improved lighting, colour contrast fittings, and audible tones to indicate when the doors are closing, will go a long way in assisting people with a vision impairment to get around.

"The trains are also being fitted with electronic door opening buttons, which means passengers are no longer required to locate and turn a handle to open the doors.

"People who have a hearing impairment will benefit from new screens next to doors which provide information about whether the door is opened or locked," he said.

Mr Mickel said it wasn't just people with disabilities who will benefit from the upgrades.

"There is improved space for prams and wheelchairs and priority seating for people with disabilities, seniors, pregnant women and adults carrying children.

"In recent years we've done an enormous amount of work to improve access to public transport.

"The Queensland Government is about making it easier and fairer for everyone, no matter what their circumstances," Mr Mickel said.

John McPherson, a representative from Queenslanders with a Disability Network, commended QR for its commitment to accessible design.

"The help phone and door controls are very easy to use and locate. Additionally, there is excellent circulation space in the vestibule, which is useful for people with vision or mobility impairments and other passengers," Mr McPherson said.

FEATURES OF THE UPGRADES

?An example of the new Braille signs can be supplied by the media contact below

?Colour contrast is also demonstrated in the example - there will be a blue background with white text.

?This provides a strong colour contrast and conforms to international standards i.e. blue for information signs, yellow for hazards, and green for exits.

?Colour contrast will also feature in the carriage's handrails and doors to provide a strong visual contrast for people with low vision. For example all of the arm rests and grabrails on the back of seats will be yellow.

Wednesday 3 December 2008

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[mufreight]

To upgrade the rollingstock is a welcome move but accesability to board and disembark from trains the also needs to be addressed.
Indoorpilly station has just had an upgrade that has made access to the platforms easier for the disabled but the disparity between platform height and carriage floor height is such that many elderley and disabled still find it difficult to board or disembark the train and so are detered from using rail to commute.

[O_128]

Oh yeah it is so easy for a woman with a pram and 2 kids to lift a pram and 2 kids a foot up onto a train