3.8 Transport

During the 2012-16 reporting period, disability advocates reported assisting 29 people with transport issues in an average three-month period.

Disability advocacy Issue Transport
Number 29 people on average per quarter
Trend ≈ generally stable
Rights under the CRPD Governments will:

  • take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment and transportation (Article 9)
  • recognize the rights of persons with disabilities to liberty of movement, to freedom to choose their residence and to a nationality (Article 18)
  • facilitate the personal mobility of persons with disabilities in the manner and at the time of their choice, and at affordable cost (Article 20)
Commitments in the State Disability Plan The Victorian government will:

  • co-ordinate a whole-of-government policy incorporating universal design principles into areas such as infrastructure and public transport (Key Priority 2)
  • improve access to the public transport options in rural and regional Victoria through the Regional Network Development Plan (Key Priority 3)
  • use new contract arrangements to improve disability inclusion and awareness in customer service (Key priority 3)
  • investigate and trial new technologies in the public transport environment that enhance the journey for people with a disability (Key Priority 3)
  • improve transport services to people with a disability as part of major reforms to the commercial passenger vehicle industry (Key Priority 3)

 

Analysis

The number of reports of transport issues is relatively stable, apart from a noticeable spike in the December 2015 quarter.

In 2016, the Victorian Government announced a package of reforms to the taxi industry. This included $25 million to

  • appoint a dedicated Commissioner for disability services to the Taxi Services Commission
  • provide additional ongoing funding to support the delivery of accessible point-to-point transport services;
  • undertake a comprehensive review of accessible point-to-point transport services to ensure the supply and improve the commercial viability of wheelchair accessible services, in addition to considering alternative models of service provision that could be adopted in the future.

 

Figure 15: Reports of transport issues

 

Case study: Helping avoid unreasonable travel costs for medical equipment

John* booked a flight to New Zealand. He requires oxygen when he travels so decided to rent oxygen tanks from the airline. John had previously arranged this with no hassle, but on this occasion the airline informed John he needed to book an extra seat at a cost of $1,000 for the oxygen tank. John felt this was unfair and unreasonable – especially as there was no reference on the airline website about purchasing an extra seat for medical equipment.

John contacted his advocacy agency for assistance. The advocate contacted the airline to gather more information about the airline’s policy, explore alternative options for John, and ascertain whether all airlines carried oxygen on board and under what circumstances it was made available to people.

After gathering this information, the advocate provided John with options for his immediate travel plans to remove or reduce costs without putting his health at risk. The advocate also assisted John in formally lodging a complaint against the airline to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

* names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals

 

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