Online Guide Transport
Transport
No Lift Access Milsons Point Station Thursday 8 December to Monday 19 December 2011
Due to essential maintenance to improve the reliability of the lift at Milsons Point Station there will be no lift access between the concourse and station platforms from Thursday 8 December to Monday 19 December. During this time you can access North Sydney Station via lifts.
Please note
If you need assistance from station staff please call North Sydney Station on ph: 9379 4432 beforehand. If you need more information about station access or advice about planning a trip to avoid Milsons Point Station, please call Transport Info on 131500, visit www.131500.info or use our TTY service on 1800 637 500.
Lift closures at Lidcombe Station October 2011 to March 2012
Between now and March next year CityRail are replacing the old lifts at Lidcombe Station with more modern models that will be more reliable and less prone to failures.
Lifts will operate between the Railway Street entrance, the station concourse and platforms 1, 2 and 3.
From Monday 31 October
Customers who need lift access between the Church Street entrance and the station’s concourse can do so using the Platform 1 lift. Access to Platform 1 is via the Church Street gate.
From Monday 7 November
Customers who need lift access between Platform 4 and the concourse will need to change their plans and travel to Granville or Regents Park and catch a train back to Lidcombe.
Customers who need lift access and wish to travel from Platform 4 at Lidcombe to stations on the Bankstown or Inner West lines or those who are travelling from Western or South line stations via Regents Park should travel to Strathfield Station for a connecting service to their final destination via Lidcombe.
There is a ramp to Platform 1 at Lidcombe Station through the Church Street gate.
There is lift access between Platform 1 and the concourse and between Railway Street and the concourse.
Platforms 1, 2 and 3 at Lidcombe Station are accessible by wheelchair as are Strathfield, Granville and Regents Park stations.
CityRail staff will recognise the tickets of people travelling to and from Lidcombe via Granville, Regents Park or Strathfield stations.
If you need more information about station access or advice about planning a trip to avoid issues due to the lack of lift access at Lidcombe Station please call Transport Info on 131500, visit www.131500.info or use our TTY service on 1800 637 500.
Prepare for Take Off- Air Travel Tips for People with Disability
The Government of Western Australia and the Disability Services Commission WA have produced this general guide to air travel for people with disability. Please click here for the full document.
Inner West Light Rail Extension Update
On 6 September 2011 the Minister for Transport announced that the 2011/12 NSW Government State Budget has delivered funding for the Inner West Light Rail Extension but the associated walking and cycle path component of the GreenWay, has been deferred.
Why has the shared path been deferred? Detailed planning work revealed the complexities of the GreenWay shared path would add to the delivery timeframes, construction risks and costs for the light rail extension. The deferral will allow the Inner West Light Rail Extension to be delivered while the proposed GreenWay is considered as part of a broader active transport plan. Construction of the Inner West Light Rail Extension will not preclude a future GreenWay.
What does this mean for the bushcare sites? Importantly, the bushcare component of the GreenWay, which aims to improve the biodiversity, amenity and habitat value along the length of the light rail corridor, will be delivered concurrently with the Inner West Light Rail Extension.
What's next? Geotechnical investigations are now underway along the rail corridor to assess ground conditions. This information will be used to finalise the preliminary design and tender documents currently being prepared. In the coming months, tenders for both the detailed design and construction of the project and the supply of rolling stock will be issued. By mid next year the contracts will be awarded and construction will be underway. The Department of Transport will continue to work with the local councils and the community in the delivery of the project.
When will the extension begin operations? The Inner West Light Rail Extension will be operating in early 2014 – just over two years from now. Between now and then, tenders for an appropriate design and construct contractor and rolling stock supplier will be issued and contracts awarded; detailed design will be undertaken; construction of stops, power supply and signalling systems will be completed; and the new service will be tested and commissioned.
When will the community see more detail? Following the award of the design and construct contract, detailed design will begin. The community will be consulted on various elements of the project during the development of the detailed design. The project team will keep the community informed of opportunities for involvement together with key project milestones.
For more information, please contact the Light Rail project team via toll free phone line on 1800 636 910 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Further information is also available at www.transport.nsw.gov.au.
New edition of Accessing City Rail Released
Accessing CityRail is a 76-page guide to CityRail stations for the elderly, customers with disabilities and people travelling with young children and luggage. The latest edition is now available and includes updated information about the accessible facilities of stations and trains, interchanging with other modes of transport, using wheelchairs and scooters and accessible station entrances. It also contains useful information about using the boarding assistance zone and travelling with assistance animals.
The brochure is available from staffed CityRail stations and is available in alternative formats. Request a copy or a large print, Braille or audio version by calling 131 500 Transport Info. Accessible service information is also featured at http://www.cityrail.info/travelling_with/accessible_services/
RailCorp notice about escalators at Central and Wynyard Stations
15 August, 2011.
A quick follow up about the status of escalators at Wynyard and Central stations.
In July we advised that four escalators at Wynyard and another four at Central were closed for safety reasons. Checks and some repairs have been carried out and the Wynyard escalators are now back in service, along with one of the affected escalators at Central.
One escalator between the Eddy Avenue entrance and Central’s main concourse is still being repaired, along with one escalator from Pitt Street to concourse level. We expect these two escalators to be back in service by the end of August.
There are signs in place to direct customers to lifts and stairs and we also have extra staff near the escalators to assist customers.
RailCorp sincerely apologises for the inconvenience and will advise you when repairs at Central are completed.
Website: www.railcorp.nsw.gov.au
6 July 2011
Escalators at Central and Wynyard Stations RailCorp have eight CityRail escalators out of service at Central and Wynyard stations while precautionary safety checks are undertaken. Early indications from the checks so far suggest there may be issues that could take some time to repair.
RailCorp sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and will keep you updated on our progress. In the meantime, the specific details of the eight escalators are below. We have additional station staff at these points to assist customers, as well as signage at the stations and information on our website (CityRail and 131 500). Central Station: Four escalators between Pitt Street, Eddy Avenue and the main concourse are out of service. Signage is in place directing customers to lifts and stairs.
Wynyard Station: Four escalators between the station concourse and Carrington Street are out of service. Signage is in place directing customers to lifts and stairs. If you would like more information, please click www.railcorp.info
RailCorp notice of lift closure at St Marys Station 6 July-7 October 2011- Update 8 November 2011
RailCorp wishes to advise Between now and the beginning of next year we are replacing the 15-year-old lifts between the street entrances and footbridge at St Marys Station with modern electrical models that will be more reliable and less prone to failures.
Because of this work the lift between Queen Street and the footbridge will be closed from Wednesday 6 July to Friday 7 October.
If you need lift access to the footbridge from Queen Street, please catch the 759 Westbus service from the bus interchange to Glossop Street near Forrester Road and make your way to the footbridge from there. If you need lift access from the footbridge to Queen Street, please catch the 759 Westbus service from Glossop Street near Forrester Road to the bus interchange and make your way to Queen Street from there. Lifts between the footbridge and station platforms will not be affected by this work.
The installation of new lifts at St Marys Station has been completed and station access and bus services have returned to normal .
*Please note*
Not all Westbus services are accessible, so please contact Transport Info on ph: 131500/TTY: 1800 637 500 to check before you begin your journey. If you need assistance from station staff please call St Marys Station on ph: 9851 7514 beforehand.
If you need more information about station access or advice about planning a trip to avoid St Marys Station, please call Transport Info on 131500, visit /www.131500.info http://www.131500.info/ or use our TTY service on 1800 637 500. We plan to replace the lift between the footbridge and Forrester Road later in the year and will advise you closer to the time. For more information, please click on www.railcorp.nsw.gov.au or http://www.railcorp.nsw.gov.au/
RailCorp notice of lift closures at Pennant Hills Station 27 June-13 July and 18 July-3 August 2011
Between now and the beginning of August we are carrying out essential maintenance and repair work to improve the reliability of the lifts at Pennant Hills Station. The lift from the concourse to Platform 1 (trains towards the city) will not be available from Monday 27 June until Wednesday 13 July. The lift from the concourse to Platform 2 (trains towards Hornsby) will not be available from Monday 18 July until Wednesday 3 August. However, there is ramp access between the concourse and both platforms.
Please call Pennant Hills Station on ph: 9847 8523 before your journey to arrange for assistance from staff.
If you need more information about station access or advice about planning a trip to avoid Pennant Hills Station, please call Transport Info on 131500, visit www.131500.info or use our TTY service on 1800 637 500.
New Waratah Train operational
July 4 2011
The new Waratah train will be entering passenger service today and we’d like to offer you an opportunity to take a guided tour of the train and its features, with a particular focus on accessibility. We will be confirming the details of this tour for you early next week.
In the meantime, if you do happen to use this new train I would be very keen to know about your experience or answer any questions you have. My phone number is (02) 8922 4376.
The train timetable will be published on our CityRail website later today or you can contact Transport Info on ph: 131 500 / TTY: 1800 637 500 for timetable information.
Kind regards
Ben Johnson
Inner West Light Rail Extension Update
29th June 2011
Where is the project up to?
Planning approval for the construction of the Inner West Light Rail Extension and GreenWay was granted mid February 2011 and the Department of Transport (DoT) will carry out the project in compliance with the terms of the Minister for Planning’s approval.
The NSW Government and Metro Transport Sydney (MTS), the operator of the existing Light Rail, have signed an agreement in-principle for MTS to develop the design for construction of the Inner West Light Rail Extension. Work on the development of a design for construction tendering purposes has now begun. The project team has been consulting with key stakeholders including Leichhardt, Marrickville and Ashfield Councils and the GreenWay Steering Committee in the development of this tender design.
The community will see surveyors together with geotechnical investigations along and near the rail corridor, gathering further information to assist with the design.
What happens next?
A procurement process will then occur for the selection of a design and construction contractor.
Following the award of the design and construct contractor, detailed design will begin. The community will be consulted during the development of the detailed design. DoT will keep the community informed of opportunities for involvement together with key project milestones.
The community will be notified of all relevant details associated with construction activities before construction begins. During the construction period plans will be put in place to minimise inconvenience to local residents, businesses and commuters.
Further information
Please contact the Project Team via toll free phone line on 1800 636 910 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Further information is also available at www.transport.nsw.gov.au.
Review of Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002) Released
3 June 2011
The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 were made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and commenced on 23 October 2002.
The first review of the Standards and the Australian Government response were released on 3 June 2011.
Review of Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, please click here.
Australian Government Response, please click here.
Copies are available from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport website.
Martin Place Upgrade In Time For Anzac Day
20 April 2011
An easy access upgrade of Sydney's Martin Place Railway Station has been completed in time for Anzac Day celebrations. The $7.5 million upgrade includes the installation of two lifts at the station, new accessible toilets and tactile indicators for the vision-impaired.
For the complete article, please click here.
For a related story, please click here.
Timed Disabled Parking Push
14 April 2011
People with disability could get a two-hour limit on their parking in parts of the North Sydney Council area, despite it being against State Government policy. The council aims to approach peak disability organisations - including Guide Dogs NSW, Deaf Australia Inc and the Physical Disability Council - to support the scapping of the NSW policy not allowing timed disabled parking. For the full article, please click here.
More free shuttle buses from 14 March
The popular CBD free shuttle bus network has been expanded to 12 routes. An additional six free shuttle bus services began today in Bankstown, Blacktown, Cabramatta, Kogarah, Newcastle, and Penrith. The Parramatta shuttle bus service will also be funded by the State Government rather than the council and be extended to operate on Sundays. The new shuttle services are in addition to free services already operating in Sydney CBD, Wollongong, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Gosford. The distinctive green buses link key community destinations such as hospitals, workplaces, transport hubs and shopping centres. Each modern bus is air-conditioned and low -floor, providing easy-to-use public transport for parents with prams, the elderly and people with disabilities.
People can board these high frequency buses, which run in a loop, from any bus stop marked with the green shuttle logo.
For more information visit www.131500.com.au
NSW Wheelchair user wins Taxi Battle
30 March 2011
A disability discrimination complaint lodged in the Federal Court against Transport NSW and the two taxi companies had a positive outcome on Wednesday morning, with the court ruling only genuinely accessible taxis would be licensed to carry wheelchair passengers from October 1, 2011.
For the full article, please click here.
New definition of wheelchair allocated space for NSW Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs)
Wheelchair accessible taxi questions
21 March 2011
Transport NSW is set to adopt a new definition of ' wheelchair allocated space' in a WAT from 1 October 2011. For more details, please click here. The updated Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Measurement Protocol can be found at the Transport NSW website, or by clicking here.
Inner West Light Rail Extension Project Approved
February 18, 2011
Planning Approval has been granted for the construction of the Inner West Light Rail Extension and Greenway. The Minister for Planning granted this approval on 18 February 2011. The approval enables design and construction work to commence in 2011, with the new extension to the Inner West up and running in 2012.
The approval follows extensive public consultation, including community information sessions, meetings with residents and a formal public exhibition period.
Next Steps
Design and construction phase for the Inner West Light Rail Extension is now underway. The community will see surveyors along the corridor within the coming weeks, gathering further information to assist with the design.
The community will continue to have further opportunities be involved throughout the detailed design and construction phases of the project. Transport NSW will keep community informed of these opportunities for involvement, together with key project milestones and upcoming works.
The first phase in the delivery of the project will be the design and construction of the GreenWay from Marion Street, Leichhardt to the existing bike network at Lilyfield Road.
Please contact the toll free project phone line on 1800 636 910 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.transport.nsw.gov.au. For further information.
Town Hall Station lifts out of action
February 15 2011.
Wheelchair users and elderly commuters needing access to Town Hall station platforms three, five and six are being forced to travel to Central or Wynyard before backtracking to Town Hall while lifts are being upgraded.
For the full story, please click here.
For NSW Transport Information on Town Hall station, please click here.
Disappointment over Taxi Ruling
January 31st 2011.
The Federal Court failed to clarify whether two of the state's largest taxi companies are meeting national disability standards.
For the full story, please click here. Wheelchair accessible taxi questions
Submissions Report and updated Statement of Commitments for the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Inner West Light Rail Extension released.
December 20, 2010.
The Submissions Report responds to all submissions received during the public exhibition of the EA. The Submissions Report confirms the final schemes for:
- A pedestrian crossing with traffic signals at Marion Street
- The GreenWay at Weston Street
- The location of the Dulwich Hill Interchange stop
For a copy of The Submissions Report, please click here.
For PDCN's Submission, please click here.
NSW Government Response to NSW Parliament Legislative Council Select Committee Report on the NSW Taxi Industry released.
December 1, 2010.
Over the past twelve months the Legislative Council has been investigating the NSW taxi industry. PDCN prepared a submission jointly with the Disability Discrimination Legal Centre as part of this inquiry, followed by attendance at a public hearing and questions on notice.
Following this thorough government review, a report containing 59 recommendations was forwarded to the Legislative Assembly for comment. The attached recommendations contain feedback from the Legislative Assembly indicating the priority attached to each recommendation.
Whilst this broad inquiry examined the taxi industry as a whole, recommendations 21- 39 consider issues relevant to accessible taxis.
Please click on the links below for more information
Legislative Council- 2010 NSW Taxi Industry Inquiry
For the Government response, Please click here.
Taxi Trouble A PDCN Member's Letter, please click here.
Wheelchair accessible taxi questions
Guideline for promoting compliance of bus stops with the Transport Standards
The Australian Human Rights Commission has released a Guideline on those aspects of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (DSAPT) that relate to bus stops following a period of extensive consultation with a wide range of individuals and organisations. Many valuable comments were made on the two separate drafts of this Guideline which were published on the Commission’s website in 2009 and 2010.
The Guideline for promoting compliance of bus stops with the DSAPT has been prepared by the Commission to assist bus stop providers to comply with the DSAPT. The Guideline does not replace the provisions of the DSAPT and does not seek to alter or expand upon the content of the DSAPT – something only Parliament can do. For a copy of the Guideline, please click here.
The Commission encourages those who have developed similar material or are aware of other resources that might assist in developing good practice for difficult bus stop sites to share this information with them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Remembering the Architects of accessible transport for Australia
December 1, 2010
The Australian Human Rights Commission today honoured the memory of Mr Angus Downie and Mr John Stott, who both passed away this week.
“Angus Downie and John Stott deserve a great share of the credit for the improvements in accessibility of public transport in Australia in recent years” said Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes.
For the full Australian Human Rights Commission Press Release, please click here.
Updated Boarding Assistance Protocol
November 19, 2010
An updated Boarding Assistance Protocol (BAP) which includes Boarding Assistance Zones (BAZ) will be implemented from the end of November for commuters who use wheelchairs. For details on the updated Boarding Assistance Protocol and Boarding Assistance Zones, please click here.
Shunt for Wheelchair Users
September 30, 2010
SYDNEY commuters in wheelchairs will be forced to wave a "high-visibility" card to warn train guards they need a boarding ramp as part of embarrassing changes being introduced for the $2 billion Waratah trains.
Disability groups are outraged that wheelchair-bound passengers will now have to wait towards the end of the train platform - without shelter or safety lighting - in a so-called BAZ area (boarding assistant zone).
RailCorp said it was to accommodate the new Waratah trains, because guards rode in the back carriage instead of their current location in the middle.
However, there was widespread confusion as to why every platform was now being reconfigured given just one of the 78 new trains will be delivered by the end of this year and just two more by March 2011.
For the full article, please click here.
For the comments on this article from The Daily Telegraph website, please click here.
Harminisation of Parking Permit Schemes in Australia: National Mobility Parking Permits now available
September 19, 2010
Parking permits for people with a disability will soon be streamlined, under an agreement between the federal government and states and territories.
New South Wales residents with a disability will from Monday be able to apply for the Australian Disability Parking Permit, while more than 300,000 existing permit holders in the state will be mailed the new national tag from October 7.
For the full Article, please click here.
Other Links on this Issue:
Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)
February 2010: Link to Summary Report- National consultations about the harmonisation of disability parking permit schemes in Australia initiative. FAHCSIA Feb 2010.
PDCN Harminisation of Disability Parking permits submission June 2009 Prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Please click here to download readable document
Getting a ticket to ride easier said than done for some
The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 September 2010
From September 20, the State Transit Authority will extend its pre-pay scheme to bus stops along Broadway, Glebe Point Road, King Street in Newtown, parts of Enmore Road and Parramatta Road and Norton Street in Leichhardt. This will reduce the time it takes buses to pick up passengers.
In addition to access issues, there is concern that some of the bus stops on these routes are a long way from the nearest ticket outlet. One stop, at Federal Road in Glebe, is more than 600 metres from the closest seller.
The changes could severely disadvantage people with mobility issues, said the executive officer of the Physical Disability Council.
For the full Sydney Morning Herald Article, please click here.
Bus Discrimination Complaint Goes to Court
A disability discrimination complaint against a bus has gone to Federal Court. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), acting on behalf Julie Haraksin, claims the Bus Company is in breach of the national Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
20 August 2010
To read the full newspaper article, please click here.
Taxi Discrimination Complaint Goes to Federal Court
21 July 2010
A disability discrimination complaint against two of NSW’s largest taxi networks has gone before the Federal Court today. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), acting on behalf of Mr Greg Killeen, claims the taxi networks and NSW Transport and Infrastructure are in breach of the national Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
For the full Press Release, please click here.
CityRail Charter commitment to benefit customers with disabilities
July 7 2010
As part of the 2010 CityRail Customer Service Charter City Rail is introducing a new lock for accessible toilets, the Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) system is intended to ensure these facilities are easier to access for people with disability.
For the CityRail Xpress article, please click here.
For more information go to www.cityrail.info
NSW Parliament Legislative Council Select Committee Report on the NSW Taxi Industry tabled
June 2 2010
Please click here for the downloadable document
June 2, 2010
For related News coverage, please click on ABC News or the links below.
Please click here for ABC TV News NSW link
Please click here for related ABC coverage
Accessible Transport: Is there light at the end of this tunnel?
8 December 2009
As part of our ongoing evaluation of transport options for our members PDCN has undertaken a review of wheelchair accessible transport in New South Wales. Part of this review focused on the City Rail Network.
The review of the train network focused on City Rail stations. The city rail network is one of the most extensive networks in Australia taking passengers as far south as Nowra, as far north as Scone and as far west as Lithgow. This network has been the subject of criticism because of poor access to its services across a number of stations. For more information, simply follow the links below.
Please click here for more on what PDCN has discovered
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)
TTSS Update 29 April 2011
Assist residents of NSW who are unable to use public transport because of a qualifying severe and permanent disability.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme Review Report (2006)
Wheelchair Taxi Patrons Left to Pick up the Cab
14 January 2009
Australia — (Paul Bibby) THOUSANDS of people with disabilities are being held back from community life and the workforce because they cannot access public transport or afford to catch a taxi under the State Government's outdated subsidy scheme.
Please click here to read the whole article.
Commuters Stuck in Lifts for 68 hrs, Railcorp Records Show
8 December 2008
Sydney, Australia — RAILWAY station lifts or escalators are breaking down every three hours, with one elevator stopping nearly 60 times in a year and passengers totting up dozens of hours trapped across Sydney.
Please click here to read the whole article.
Endemic Discrimination' in Airline Industry
11 April 2008
Australia — THE advent of low cost airlines in Australia and their over-zealous interpretation of safety regulations has led to greater discrimination against people with disabilities, the disability watchdog says.
Please click here to the read the whole article.
A disability discrimination complaint against two of NSW’s largest taxi networks has gone before the Federal Court today. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), acting on behalf of Mr Greg Killeen, claims the taxi networks and NSW Transport and Infrastructure are in breach of the national Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
For the full Press Release, please click here.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|