Access Earth’s Post

"With the publication of the 2017 Bus Services Act, and the National Bus Strategy for England in 2021, some bus companies are forging ahead. More and more operators are working in collaboration with disabled people during planning, vehicle purchase, and monitoring. In Northern Ireland, Translink worked with a Disabled Person’s Organisation (DPO) on the launch of the Glider service. They involved disabled people in the bus design, ticketing and testing. After the buses launched there was a 25% increase in the number of disabled passengers using the route. In Harrogate, Transport for All members recently reviewed buses with two wheelchair spaces. For the first time, local wheelchair users can catch the bus together – nobody should have to wait 40 minutes for separate buses to nip to the pub for a pint! Yet, despite these areas of progress, the percentage of bus complaints that relate to accessibility increased between 2016/17 and 2021/2022, and barriers remain." Interesting article in Passenger Transport on advancements and continued shortcomings with public transport accessibility. https://lnkd.in/eF3Q34AR

Have you heard? Wheels 2U, Norwalk Transit District’s Microtransit program has expanded its services! A single ride is $2 and a group ride is $6! The services went into effect on March 26th and are available throughout the City, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Microtransit is an affordable on-demand ride sharing service that people can use in real time with an app or by contacting NTD’s call center to request a ride. You can learn more about the program and download the app by visiting This week, Mayor Harry Rilling, Senator Bob Duff, Senate Majority Leader, State Representative Kadeem Roberts, Deputy Commissioner Laoise King of the CT Department of Transportation and Jim Travers, the City's Director of Transportation, Mobility and Parking joined Matt Pentz, CPA, the CEO of the Norwalk Transit District (NTD) and his team in celebration of NTD’s expanded microtransit services! In 2023, NTD was awarded a $2.1 million state funded grant to pilot these services. This Pilot Program offers first-and-last mile integration with the regional bus network and with Metro North train stations in Norwalk. The service aims to fill public transportation gaps by delivering transit accessibility to riders who are not currently served by the NTD bus system, while reducing people’s need to rely on driving, helping to lower Norwalk’s carbon footprint. The Pilot Program serves residents, visitors, commuters, employees, businesses, students, and people with mobility impairments while encouraging fixed route ridership by seamlessly connecting riders to fixed route transit. It also intends to help seniors, such as those living at the Norwalk Senior Centers, get to and from the places they need to go, enhancing quality of life for everyone. #MicrotransitExpansion #NorwalkTransitDistrict #CityofNorwalk #DontDriveGetARide https://lnkd.in/datyTzD7

“Hickey would love to replace her flight to the capital with a train trip, but accessibility is hard on that mode too, she said. “We’re not a very progressive country around tourism ideas. You can’t even catch a bus [with disabled access] to go between towns.” Affordable, good quality, trains and buses are not only part of the solution for reducing transport emissions, they provide opportunities for differently abled people to travel for work, to visit friends and family or for leisure. In most advanced economies, modern inter-regional passenger trains allow easy access for wheelchair users and in many countries long distance coaches are also set up to carry wheelchairs. As part of our Save Our Trains/The Future is Rail campaign we have held meetings in many small towns across Aotearoa New Zealand. What politicians based in Wellington seem to forget is we have a rapidly aging population and this is happening faster in rural New Zealand than in the larger urban centres. Most older people at some point lose the ability to drive. Many will have mobility issues. Even if not in a wheelchair, getting up the steps of an InterCity bus – if one actually stops in your town – is challenging. Most small towns are far from airports, yet most still have train tracks running through them. Long distance passenger trains have recently been described as a ‘romantic obsession’ by a prominent journalist. My ‘obsession’ is to make sure as a nation we provide low emission transport options for all members of society, including those who are differently abled, those too young to drive, those who cannot afford a car and those older people who live in rural New Zealand. https://lnkd.in/gHWrreBD

Kia ora Aotearoa, in light of a recent NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi update, we have turned off our smart Remote Reparking* feature - for the time being. Keep an eye out for our Field Rangers 👷♀️ who’ll be on the streets of outer Auckland manually reparking scooters to help keep access ways clear. Did you know 90 minutes is the average time it takes to shift a poorly parked scooter manually? With #RemoteReparking we provided accessible pathways to Kiwis in a record average of just 8 minutes. It’s no wonder this advancement is supported by New Zealand #disabilitygroups who see the value in this socially conscious technology being available to their communities. We’re confident a swift resolution can be reached that supports both compliance and innovation. In the meantime, please think twice about community accessibility, and #ParkSmart. Remote Reparking is just one of many ways we’re reimagining urban mobility to prioritise safety and convenience for all road and footpath users 🛴✨ * Ario’s e-scooters have been designed to adhere to all relevant regulations, with an OHS safety management system designed by a HASANZ safety professional to comply with ISO 45001. ___________________________________________ Auckland Council | Christchurch City Council | Wellington City Council | Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand | Bike Auckland | Micromobility Industries | CCS Disability Action | Disability Leadership Canterbury

This week in PTAANZ’s #TopTransportNews – the 75th and final New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train has completed its accessibility upgrade and is now in service, marking a significant milestone for Queensland’s South East train fleet. The Queensland Government’s $335 million investment addresses several access issues and ensures the entire fleet is disability compliant.  The upgrades, carried out in consultation with the disability sector, include larger toilet modules, additional priority seats, tactile text and braille signage, extra grab and handrails, and redesigned equipment for customers with limited dexterity.  Queensland Premier Steven Miles emphasized the importance of safety, accessibility, and inclusion, highlighting the transformative impact on how Queenslanders travel by train. “Today is an incredibly proud moment for the disability advocates who championed these upgrades and helped us to deliver the best possible outcome,” he said. “This investment has not only changed the way Queenslanders can travel by train, it has also supported good Queensland manufacturing jobs. This initiative not only enhances the travel experience for passengers but encourages mode shift by making transport more accessible and user-friendly. Supporting more people to safely, comfortably and independently access all modes drives us towards a more sustainable transport system.  You can read more here – https://bit.ly/4fy8Ujm   #PTAANZ #PublicTransport #Accessibility #Sustainability #Queensland #TrainUpgrade #TransportInnovation #CustomerExperience #ModeShift  

E for Equity? Read more about how shared e-bikes and e-scooters can provide access for people on low incomes, and even some people with a disability. https://lnkd.in/g8Wd-As7

Accessible travel means different things to different people. For some, it could be getting a wheelchair accessible seat in a first class train carriage and others, boarding a bus to the local shop. The important thing in either situation is that no matter what a passenger's disability, everyone needs to be able to plan and then take the journey they wish to. That could be on a ferry, a taxi, a tram or a train. Because people's disabilities are varied, we need as many people as possible to share their views and experiences to build the Community of Accessible Transport. This Community will take part in research, as part of the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat), to help shape transport policy and services. We're managing the panel as part of ncat and we can't do it without you. Join us and help close the accessibility gap. https://lnkd.in/eXK7X2r2 #AccessibleTransport #ncat #InclusiveTravel

With multiple chronic illnesses, my travel experiences haven't always been accessible. An experience shared by many of you in the disability/ chronic sick community i'm sure... I've just got back from holiday where I did pretty much every mode of transport- flying, sailing, a bike, taxis, a coach... shockingly it was the bike that was the most accessible of the lot! It says a lot about the bike (electric) and the lack of consideration for every other mode of transport- I'm not a wheelchair user, but often need accommodations that simply aren't met without spending a lot of energy asking/ jumping through hoops or fighting to get them. Spearheaded by Sophie Morgan the Rights on Flights campaign is a global initiative to combat accessibility and safety barriers for disabled travellers. Flying remains a significant hurdle for disabled people. It's something that non-disabled people take for granted in one breath, and then argue is a privilege to do in the next when someone like Sophie challenges their right to fly too. We urgently need change. It’s unacceptable that disabled passengers are forced to drag themselves across plane floors. Wheelchairs and mobility aids, often as expensive as a brand new car!- and essential for independent living- should not be damaged routinely. There’s so much more I could say on this- But I highly recommend watching the documentary; it will show you the reality. Stream it on Channel 4 On Demand! #FightToFly #RightsOnFlights #AccessibleTravel

Bus stops play a crucial role in daily life. Our stops are crucial in our daily lives, facilitating public transportation and connecting people to their destinations. Here are some insights on improving bus transit and enhancing the bus stop experience: Streamline Stops: Accelerate buses by eliminating frequent stops and reducing long dwell times. Cash payments at the fare box contribute to extended dwell times, so exploring contactless payment options can help. Additionally, optimizing the number and placement of stops can enhance efficiency. Accessible Design: Bus stops must be accessible to all passengers, including those with disabilities. Guidelines for accessible bus stops must be produced, emphasizing inclusivity and compliance with disability standards2. Scheduled Stops, Request Stops, and Hail-and-Ride Stops: Scheduled Stops: Buses should stop at scheduled stops regardless of demand. Request Stops (Flag Stops): Vehicles stop only upon passenger request. Hail-and-Ride Stops: Buses stop anywhere along the designated road section upon request. Remember, while streetcars, light rail, and subways often steal the spotlight, buses remain the unsung heroes of public transit, serving more passengers than any other mode. Let’s continue to improve bus systems for a smoother and more efficient urban commute! 🚌