Article: Disabled man in rail fight

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Disabled man in rail fight
Sunshine Coast Daily
Bill Hoffman | 3rd May 2012 4:00 AM

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/05/03/disabled-man-in-rail-fight/

A DISABILITY advocate taking on Queensland Rail in the Anti-Discrimination Commission said yesterday it was a disgrace the government agency had to be forced to recognise its responsibility to service all Queenslanders.

Peter Yeo of PointZero5.com said people with disabilities were unable to get off at 40% of stations in the Brisbane city area and only two Sunshine Coast stations had platform access.

"Obviously Queensland Rail is not interested in anyone other than the able bodied," he said. "We are the forgotten race."

Mr Yeo, a quadriplegic, said the matter had been before the Anti-Discrimination Commission since late last year and faced further delay because of QR's reluctance to answer simple questions.

He said it was likely resolution would have to be sought at further expense in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Queensland Rail last night denied it was hindering a resolution of the issue.

"Queensland Rail is involved in active discussions and conciliation through the Anti-Discrimination Commission," a spokesperson said.

Mr Yeo said he had taken the action to highlight the problem and to force QR to act.

He said he had long stopped being frustrated by the disregard shown to people with disabilities, his emotions now shifting to anger.

He said QR might be forced to address issues that should have been built into its planning a long time ago.

Mr Yeo said equal access to transport would help unlock the $9 billion in productivity now being lost because people with disabilities were shut off from employment.

He said the outcome of the hearing could cost QR billions to set right and have national implications.

"It is not fair or reasonable able-bodied people can travel from Brisbane and view the beautiful sites of the Sunshine Coast through to Cairns using sleepers, bathrooms and restaurants, when a person in a wheelchair, or many aged people are severely discriminated against without any comparable facilities," he said.

"This is discrimination at its best and will not be tolerated.

"It was even suggested I might like to do what another person with a disability had to do previously, and travel in the cattle truck, if you don't mind."

Queensland Rail said it was well aware of its responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Mr Yeo said the main issue remained that access to rail stations was in many cases non-existent for people in wheelchairs.

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail is not the problem, it is successive governments that simply won't fund the necessary improvements. Queensland Rail has good engagement with the Disabled Sector and works steadily for improvement.  Carriages 50 year plus old have their issues.

There are legislative timelines that will need to be met.  This means either upgrades or no services at all.  The reality.

[Stillwater]

"Mr Yeo, a quadriplegic, said the matter had been before the Anti-Discrimination Commission since late last year and faced further delay because of QR's reluctance to answer simple questions.

"He said it was likely resolution would have to be sought at further expense in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal."

As with FF's experience, I wonder why QR has a reluctance to answer simple questions, resulting in people having to go to the extrordinary step of seeking redress through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

I can understand how QR could feel pressured over rolling stock restrictions and frustrated by a lack of funding for replacements, as pointed out by Ozbob, but that does not prevent them taking people into their confidence.  Highlighting the issues and getting the facts out there allows for a better quality public debate about these things.

Armed with the facts, people can make choices and let government know their feelings.  Even though the LNP has a huge majority, the fundamental rights of government being for and of the people haven't changed.

[ozbob]

Queensland Rail has excellent engagement with the disability sector, and I have attended workshops with the disabled sector put on by Queensland Rail. I have no doubt that Queensland Rail have responded to the questions, just that the answers would have been not acceptable.  The real problem is not with Queensland Rail.  I don't take too much notice of one article, years of experience and knowing what actually goes on with respect to DDA by Queensland Rail is much more significant.

Government policy is often to let Queensland Rail swing for their own (government) inadequacies ..

[somebody]

Are Queensland Rail a government owned corporation?  I don't see what would stop them defending themselves or releasing info in that case.  That the CEO would be fired?

[colinw]

If we're talking about Brisbane to Cairns service then this is all a bit silly, as the Sunlander will be completely replaced with the DDA compliant tilt train within a couple of years.

As for the Westlander, SOTO, Inlander, this means the demise of those services. Simple.  Enjoy your DDA compliant(?) bus.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I don't know what he's getting at. Elimah/Beerburrum is full DDA. The rest are DDA enabled with ramp access to platforms/elevators/guard assisting anyone onto the train. Pretty much all of the EMUs are DDA complient. Some are better than others in regards to total numbers. Its only 30-59 which have yet to go with full seat replacment near the cabs (Currently fold up double seats instead of the thin single seats/assigned spaces) however they are usually paired with one that is so its just as simple as loading anyone with wheelchair assistance into the other part of the train. SMU/IMUs are DDA complient. ICE trains are DDA enabled but they were to Traveltrain specs where they had prior knowledge/more staff to assist. The TTs are DDA enabled with steel ramps/raised areas/stairs at stations. If your boarding the sunlander etc there might be a few issues but QR does work around them if they have prior notice/communication along with echoing colins statements about the Sunlander TT.

I hope he doesn't know about Grayhound buses....

[Stillwater]

Notwithstanding all the DDA compliance it has done, which is considerable, QR should release details of the ongoing DDA compliance challenges it faces in coming years and have confidence that the public will be on their side and pressure government accordingly.  I feel QR has become a bit insular of late, probably biding time until it gets to know the new government and departmental administration.

[ozbob]

For those not aware, some relevant information

City Network Stations

--> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AllStations/Pages/CityStationsAccessibility.aspx

Travel Network Stations

--> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AllStations/Pages/TraveltrainStationsAccessibility.aspx

[Fares_Fair]

Article: QR denies discrimination claims
Sunshine Coast Daily
by Bill Hoffman
8th May 2012 6:00 AM

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/05/08/qr-denies-discrimination-claims-sunshine-coast/

DISABLED train users will not have equal access to Queensland Rail services as able-bodied passengers before 2022, the transport provider said yesterday.

QR is before the Anti-Discrimination Commission facing allegations it has ignored the needs of people with disabilities.

Disabilities advocate Peter Yeo has accused QR of only being interested in able-bodied passengers and of frustrating the commission hearing by failing to respond to his questions.

QR has denied the allegations and says it is co-operating with the process.

Yesterday in response to questions from the Daily, it said it was committed to providing rail services that allowed customers to travel safely, without barriers.

"Queensland Rail has an established disability reference group which provides valued and significant feedback on station and train accessibility," QR said in statement.

"With 144 stations in the City Network, Queensland Rail prioritises station upgrades based on a number of factors, including customer usage, and usage by customers with disabilities. Sunshine Coast stations have varying accessibility features, which are listed on our website to assist customers with journey planning. "

"Queensland Rail supports the Commonwealth's Disability Discrimination Act, and is aware of its responsibilities under this legislation. Queensland Rail is striving to meet the set benchmark of infrastructure compliance for train providers by December 31, 2022."

Mr Yeo said 40% of stations in the greater Brisbane rail network remained inaccessible to people in wheelchairs and listed several Coast stations that did not have wheelchair access.

QR said that Beerburrum, Beerwah, Caboolture, Eumundi, Glasshouse Mountains, Landsborough, Woombye, Nambour and Gympie North all had wheelchair access.

[Fares_Fair]

As an aside...
Mr Yeo is a candidate for pre-selection in the Federal seat of Fairfax, currently held by Hon Alex Somlyay.
I am told he is a Mal Brough appointee.

I am told Mr Brough aspires to be Prime Minister one day.

[Stillwater]

"Disabilities advocate Peter Yeo has accused QR of only being interested in able-bodied passengers and of frustrating the commission hearing by failing to respond to his questions."

QR allegedly not responding to questions.

[colinw]

Time for QR to apply a "scorched earth" defence perhaps?

"QueenslandRail advises on that on date x/y/z, the following services will be withdrawn due to lack of funds to convert them to full DDA compliance:

- Inlander
- Westlander
- Spirit of the Outback
- CityTrain services to Gympie North

In addition, the following stations will be closed as they are unable to comply:

<list of non-DDA compliant stations>"

Extreme?  Maybe.  But will certainly draw attention to the problem and just WHO is responsible for funding the upgrades.

[Fares_Fair]

The stations listed as currently having wheelchair access do have compliant ramps up to the platform.
But this is only useful whilst the stations are open, where ramps are placed by the guards to allow entry onto the train or egress off.

At the end of the day, QR is merely a service provider according to the Office of the Information Commissioner.

It's either TRANSLink under their Transport Services Contract, who possibly get their commands from
a.) the Dept of Transport and Main Roads or
b.) the newly named Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning,
that determines its' (QR's) priorities.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Money must be growing on trees these days.

[somebody]

Money must be growing on trees these days.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Time for QR to apply a "scorched earth" defence perhaps?

"QueenslandRail advises on that on date x/y/z, the following services will be withdrawn due to lack of funds to convert them to full DDA compliance:

- Inlander
- Westlander
- Spirit of the Outback
- CityTrain services to Gympie North

In addition, the following stations will be closed as they are unable to comply:

<list of non-DDA compliant stations>"

Extreme?  Maybe.  But will certainly draw attention to the problem and just WHO is responsible for funding the upgrades.

In bold text at the bottom. "Courtsey of Disabilities advocate Peter Yeo". 

[SurfRail]

Much as I tend to agree with the sentiment here, Mr Yeo has a point.

DDA obligations were not rushed into Parliament early this year - they have been well-known and in existence for many years now based on fairly simple standards (for rail anyway - bus stops are a bit more challenging and even then putting down a concrete slab and tactile surfacing is generally "enough").

He is right to be peeved that there was no actual timetable for funding and rolling out most of these upgrades when we actually had some dosh for things like fleet replacement, and now we are effectively reduced to raiding the tin whenever somebody puts something in.

[Fares_Fair]

It is never going to be a swift process to bring old standards up to the new DDA compliant ones.
The Narangba Station DDA upgrade is currently under way.

It is impossible to judge the circumstances here given that the simple questions raised are not mentioned in the story.