Public transport in each state and territory typically includes buses, trains, trams, ferries and other government funded transport services.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
Public transport services can be utilised by people with disability for transportation to and from work if they are unable to drive or do not own a suitable vehicle. Using public transport can increase a person’s independence and decrease reliance on being transported by family members, carers or co-workers. Most public transport carriers have an extensive timetable, especially within cities to allow flexibility for travel to work.
Tips for travelling on public transport:
- identify your most appropriate route via calling the helpline, reading timetables or planning via journey or trip planning links on web pages
- if you mobilise via wheelchair or have limited mobility you can identify whether the available transport close to your home and destination is wheelchair accessible
- if you are unable to lift your hand to signal a driver at a bus stop, stand as close to the bus stop as possible
- ask the inspector or ticket sales person about the most appropriate route.
Services available
The following links are provided for individual transport services in each state and territory. These links will take you to timetables, journey planning and disability accessible travel information. The links will open in a new window.
Australian Capital Territory
Infoline 13 17 10 (TTY 02 6207 7689)
New South Wales
At the time of writing it was noted on the website that 'Visually Impaired Persons Permit' holders are entitled to free travel on CityRail, Sydney Buses, Sydney Ferries and Newcastle Buses and Ferries services. Guide Dogs and Therapy Dogs are also permitted on these services.
Infoline 13 15 00 (TTY 1800 637 500)
Northern Territory
Approximately 80 per cent of the NT public buses are considered to have ‘easy access’. With at least 24 hours notice arrangements can be made (in most circumstances) with DarwinBus (infoline) to arrange an easy access bus on a particular route.
Infoline (08) 8924 7666
Queensland
It may be possible to organise an easy access bus on your particular route by contacting Brisbane City Council Call Centre on (07) 3403 8888—24 hours notice required.
Personalised Public Transport is a service provided by the Brisbane City Council on a trial basis to cover areas not covered or not sufficiently covered by public transport. It involves wheelchair accessible 10 person maxi cabs operating along set routes. Legally blind users holding a Council Blind Persons Pass or a National Impaired Persons Travel Pass travel free.
Infoline 13 12 30
TTY (07) 3369 3377
South Australia
Infoline 13 23 24
Tasmania
Infoline 13 22 01
TTY (03) 6233 4241
Victoria
Infoline 131 638
TTY (03) 9619 2727
Western Australia
Infoline 13 62 13
TTY (08) 9428 1999
References:
Action Buses 2007, Accessible travel, ACT Government, Canberra, viewed 12 April 2011, https://www.action.act.gov.au/accessible_travel.html.
Merseylink 2011, Merseylink Homepage, Merseylink Bus Services, Devonport, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.merseylink.com.au/cgi-local/home.cgi?merseylink&Heading=*.
Metlink 2011, Accessible Transport, Metlink Victoria Pty Ltd, Melbourne, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/accessible_transport.
Metlink 2007, Journey Planner, Metlink Victoria Pty Ltd, Melbourne, viewed 12 April 2011, http://jp.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/metlink/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en.
Metlink 2007, Timetables, Metlink Victoria Pty Ltd, Melbourne, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/timetables.
Metro Tasmania 2009, Metro’s Accessible Bus Services, Metro Tasmania Pty Ltd, Moonah, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.metrotas.com.au/html/accessibleservices.html.
Metro Tasmania 2009, Metro Homepage, Metro Tasmania Pty Ltd, Moonah, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.metrotas.com.au/index.html.
NSW Ministry of Transport 2011, Trip Planner – New Trip, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.131500.info/realtime/newjourney.asp.
NSW Ministry of Transport 2011, Accessing Sydney Buses/Accessible Travel, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.131500.com.au/planyourtrip/accessibletravel/cityrail.asp.
Northern Territory Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2007, Travelling on buses in Darwin and Alice Springs, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/public/bus/routes.shtml#busroutes.
Public Transport Authority 2007, People with a disability, Government of Western Australia, Perth, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/PassengerInfo/PeoplewithDisabilities/tabid/170/Default.aspx.
Public Transport Authority 2011, Transperth Homepage, Government of Western Australia, Perth, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/.
Public Transport Authority 2007, Transwa Homepage, Government of Western Australia, Perth, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx.
Queensland Transport 2010, Timetables and maps, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/timetables.
Queensland Transport 2010, Personalised Public Transport, Queensland Government, Brisbane, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.translink.qld.gov.au/qt/translin.nsf/index/bus_ppt.
Service SA 2009, Public Transport Services, Government of South Australia Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Adelaide, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.service.sa.gov.au/subject/Transport,+travel+and+motoring/Public+transport+and+travel.
Service SA 2009, Travel for People with a Disability, Government of South Australia Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Adelaide, viewed 12 April 2011, http://www.service.sa.gov.au/subject/Transport,+travel+and+motoring/Public+transport+and+travel/Getting+around+with+a+disability+or+mobility+aid.
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