❓ Addresses concerns about wheelchair accessibility on new public transport buses, detailing investigations, ride-height reprogramming, ramp enhancements, and collaboration with disability advocacy groups to improve bus stop accessibility.
AnsweredQoN 566Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY BUSES — WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
566. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Minister for Disability Services:
I refer to the minister's promise last November that
she would investigate complaints that new public transport buses are not
completely accessible for people in wheelchairs because the ramps cannot be
lowered far enough.
(1) Is the
claim true?
(2) If so,
what is the Barnett government doing to ensure that people in wheelchairs can
access public transport without assistance?
TRANSPORT AUTHORITY BUSES — WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
566. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the Minister for Disability Services:
I refer to the minister's promise last November that
she would investigate complaints that new public transport buses are not
completely accessible for people in wheelchairs because the ramps cannot be
lowered far enough.
(1) Is the
claim true?
(2) If so,
what is the Barnett government doing to ensure that people in wheelchairs can
access public transport without assistance?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2)
Hon Sue Ellery did indeed ask me on 8 November 2012 about the difficulties
being experienced by people in wheelchairs in accessing the ramps on some of
the new buses. I raised this matter with both the Disability Services
Commission and the Minister for Transport. I was subsequently advised by the
Minister for Transport that a meeting took place on 18 December 2012 between
representatives from People With Disabilities WA, which is a highly regarded
advocacy organisation, and representatives from the Public Transport Authority
to discuss the issues related to wheelchair ramps on buses.
I am advised that the meeting was a valuable
opportunity for the PTA to demonstrate the operation of a new Volvo low-floor
accessible bus and a bus stop recently upgraded under the PTA's bus
stop accessibility works program. Minister Buswell advised me in a letter dated
9 January 2013 that the PTA's investigation of the access ramps on the
new Volvo buses revealed that the factory ride-height settings were
inconsistent and often set too high. This had the effect of raising the bus too
high even when the bus was lowered to operate the access ramps. He advised me
that this matter could be addressed by simply reprogramming the ride-height
settings on each bus and that a program to do this was underway. I understand
that this was completed in March 2013.
The meeting in December also afforded an
opportunity for PWDWA representatives to highlight concerns about a potentially
slippery tape edge on the bus access ramp, which I am advised would also be
easily rectified. I have been notified today that enhancements to address these
concerns are being undertaken. The on-site consultation highlighted the
importance of the PTA's BSAWP when these works typically incorporate
raising the passenger boarding area–kerb height to 150 millimetres
above the road surface. Raising the kerb height reduces the resultant ramp
incline and is of critical importance to ramp users. The BSAWP currently
upgrades over 600 bus stops per annum, and this meeting provided an opportunity
to discuss future arrangements whereby the PWDWA may advise the PTA of priority
bus stops to be upgraded so that they may be fast-tracked into future works
planning.
I am advised that there was a very
satisfactory exchange of ideas, issues and concerns for both parties. I wrote
to Hon Sue Ellery on 1 February 2013 and provided this information to her.
member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2)
Hon Sue Ellery did indeed ask me on 8 November 2012 about the difficulties
being experienced by people in wheelchairs in accessing the ramps on some of
the new buses. I raised this matter with both the Disability Services
Commission and the Minister for Transport. I was subsequently advised by the
Minister for Transport that a meeting took place on 18 December 2012 between
representatives from People With Disabilities WA, which is a highly regarded
advocacy organisation, and representatives from the Public Transport Authority
to discuss the issues related to wheelchair ramps on buses.
I am advised that the meeting was a valuable
opportunity for the PTA to demonstrate the operation of a new Volvo low-floor
accessible bus and a bus stop recently upgraded under the PTA's bus
stop accessibility works program. Minister Buswell advised me in a letter dated
9 January 2013 that the PTA's investigation of the access ramps on the
new Volvo buses revealed that the factory ride-height settings were
inconsistent and often set too high. This had the effect of raising the bus too
high even when the bus was lowered to operate the access ramps. He advised me
that this matter could be addressed by simply reprogramming the ride-height
settings on each bus and that a program to do this was underway. I understand
that this was completed in March 2013.
The meeting in December also afforded an
opportunity for PWDWA representatives to highlight concerns about a potentially
slippery tape edge on the bus access ramp, which I am advised would also be
easily rectified. I have been notified today that enhancements to address these
concerns are being undertaken. The on-site consultation highlighted the
importance of the PTA's BSAWP when these works typically incorporate
raising the passenger boarding area–kerb height to 150 millimetres
above the road surface. Raising the kerb height reduces the resultant ramp
incline and is of critical importance to ramp users. The BSAWP currently
upgrades over 600 bus stops per annum, and this meeting provided an opportunity
to discuss future arrangements whereby the PWDWA may advise the PTA of priority
bus stops to be upgraded so that they may be fast-tracked into future works
planning.
I am advised that there was a very
satisfactory exchange of ideas, issues and concerns for both parties. I wrote
to Hon Sue Ellery on 1 February 2013 and provided this information to her.
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