I respond on behalf of Barwon disAbility Resource Council (BDRC) to the Australian Railway Association application under section 55, for a temporary exemption in relation to a number of provisions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

BDRC, given more time, would like to examine the exemptions and make further comments.  However, at this stage we would like to respond initially with the following:

1.15    Direct Assistance

Direct assistance is often required on rail services, eg Geelong to Melbourne, where seats are not generally booked.  However assistance can be required to transfer to a seat or to provide access for passengers. There needs to be provision made for extended rail journeys and country services, which do not generally allow for bookings.

1.18  All infrastructure, whether it is or not within the rial corrider needs to be accessible.

1.19  Regional Victoria does not have an integrated ticketing system for bus, rail & ferry (and we do have ferries!).

Part IX

BDRC needs more time to consider this issue and consult with our constituents, re. mobility aids maximum sizes etc.

2.1  Unhindered passage

The provider may nominate the access path, which should be the same or very similar path used for all passengers.

BDRC would like to be involved in further consultation on these issues and generally objects to a temporary exemption of up to 5 years.  We do not have the resources at this time to respond fully in the time allowed.

Thanks for this opportunity

Regards

Carol Okai
Executive Officer
Barwon disAbility Resource Council
48 McKillop Street
Geelong  VIC 3220
Ph/TTY:  (03) 52 218011
Fax:  (03) 52 295665