Service NSW’s Post

Many Victorian know about the “Try Before You Ride” program where people can learn and tryout using public transport in a safe static enviornment. This is done through closing a platform at Southern Cross Station and having a Metro Train, a V/Line train, a tram, a bus, a coach and taxies available with both customer service officers, Travellers Aid and transport staff available to answer questions. Through its Open Data Programme, Transport for NSW is modeling a different method for inclusive, accessible, and user-friendly transport in a new trial. A key part of this programme is the Bus Boarding Assist Innovation Challenge, which uses data and technology to address common challenges faced by passengers with disabilities, such as signalling the driver, knowing how to alert the driver about upcoming stops, and requesting assistance with boarding, like a ramp. This is an important step forward for building an inclusive, equitable, and accessible public transportation network. I believe these trials hold the potential to drive broader societal benefits, including increased independence and mobility for people with disabilities, as well as fostering greater social inclusion and cohesion within communities. As the trials progress, ongoing collaboration between transport authorities, technology providers, and advocacy groups will be crucial to refining and scaling these initiatives for broader implementation across the region. Visual Description: A picture of a bus at a traffic light. #2024DisabilityEmpowerment #publictransport #accessibility #disabilitysupport #inclusion

As the festive season approaches, the City of Cape Town is urging residents to utilize its online services for municipal account payments and motor vehicle licence renewals. This initiative aims to help residents save time and avoid long queues during the busy December period. Read more online: https://lnkd.in/daxHz6Sw #CapeTown#Online

Earlier this year, Transport for the North published a new report stating nearly half of disabled residents, carers and those from low-income households in the North of England face social exclusion due to inadequate and poorly performing transport systems. At Osmodal we not only understand the commercial drivers for implementing effective #farestrategies and the technology that support them, but we spend time exploring the social context; the human elements. Many #transitoperators globally support #concessions – often more concessionary travellers, than those paying standard fares. If you’re involved in planning public transportation, how much consideration do you give to your concessionary travellers? We’d love to explore how Operators can work to address this increasingly important ridership. Read the report? Comments below 👇

The Australian Government is running consultations to inform the development of a National Carer Strategy to support Australia's carers. If you are interested in participating, there are in-person and online sessions. Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/IYuz50SLRPN #NationalCarerStrategy #CarerSupport #AustralianCarers #CarerConsultation #CarerCommunity #CarerAdvocacy #SupportingCarers

Rural bus services Catching one of the 3 times a day buses from Bownes to Carlisle highlighted the role that rural buses play. At its peak there were around 25 of us on board. Roughly 10 hikers like us, the majority of whom were overseas tourists, boosting the local economy. The reminder, locals who knew at least a couple of other people on board. Mainly older people using their concessionary passes on their way to do their shopping or banking, having failed to resolve an issue by phone. The recent removal of an early morning service was much commented on, with one person of working age saying they should have been working by now. It was apparent some of the older passengers used to drive including a lady who previously had a motorbike. As society ages the need to address social isolation will increase. Its clear rural bus services play an important economic and social role but they are becoming rarer. Given how infrequent many rural services are it's perhaps not surprising that a number of rural bus stops offer substantive libraries to while away the hours!

#Christmas transport. In railway news: an immoveable Christian celebration means Network Rail close the rail network completely for 2 days and then plan engineering work and close many major routes before and after Christmas, just when families and friends wish to travel and to be together. They say this is the efficient way to do things. Of course, life is all about ease and efficiency and not about public service. Is 'public' transport not there to serve the 'public'. In bus and coach news: 100,000 people will catch a bus on Christmas Day. 22% of UK households have no access to a car. National Express LTD - On Christmas Day they will operate 340 long distance coach journeys serving 95 destinations. The majority of Flix long distance coach services, serving 70 destinations, will operate on Christmas Day. Before you say staff should have a day off on Christmas Day, please remember that under half of the UK population is Christian [2021 Census]. Many Christians would work on Christmas Day if it helped others to more easily be with their friends and family. Here is a Confederation of Passenger Transport news release giving the facts: 👇 https://lnkd.in/eeNCGxbN Picked up by The Guardian and expanded a bit: 👇 https://lnkd.in/ei57URKt Photo: National Express coach looking immaculate in Chesterfield. [Soon sort that out with Salty McGritface over the winter. 18/9/2024. Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Doncaster Chamber of Commerce Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Sheffield City Council Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Barnsley Council Doncaster Council East Midlands Combined County Authority East Midlands Councils

So Adelaide Access Taxis have been around for 35+ years. I was actually one of their first ever pick-ups. They’ve never had a smooth run. There’s always been major hiccups along the way. I’ve been left in the city at 3am, I’ve missed incredibly important appointments, I’ve been left in the rain, and I’m absolutely not the only one. Local talk-back radio stations are regularly inundated with complaints! These aren’t new problems either. They’ve had major issues when they’ve been run independently, when run by Adelaide Independent Taxis & run by Suburban Taxis. Since the inception of the #NDIS we’ve seen an influx of NDIS providers offering community based transport as part of their service delivery. My multi-layered question to all of you is….how important is it to have these types of community based transport services, do you offer such a service and/or would you recommend this type of service to your clients?? Would absolutely love everyone’s feedback on this! #NDIS #AdelaideAccessTaxis #CommunityTransport #ProviderTravel #NDISAustralia

Carers of children with disability play an invaluable role in our society, providing round-the-clock care and support that is often under-recognised and undervalued. Minister Amanda Rishworth recently released the National Carer Strategy 2024-2034, which outlines Commonwealth’s plan to improve the lives of Australia’s unpaid carers. Kindred has been working on behalf of families to address the unique and complex challenges faced by carers of children with disability. We shared thoughts and ideas from parents and carers from our community, offering insights into their experiences, challenges and needs. We were pleased to see many of our practical recommendations reflected in the final Strategy. This includes the need for increased financial support, improved access to respite care, better mental health support and greater recognition of the carer role. We look forward to working with Minister Rishworth to bring this Strategy to life, delivering effective and achievable measures that can significantly enhance the lives of unpaid carers. Read our submission to the National Carer Strategy 2024-2034 here: https://lnkd.in/g3pheXRC

🌟Participate in the State of Caring Survey 2024!🌟 The annual State of Caring survey is the UK's most extensive survey on carers' experiences. With a new UK Government on the horizon, it’s crucial that carers in Scotland and across the UK make their voices heard. This is our opportunity to push for real change. This year's survey addresses the issues that matter most to carers. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, so please set aside some time to share your thoughts. Even if you can’t complete the whole survey, your responses will still be valuable. 👉 Take the survey here: https://ow.ly/pNBO50SqJ1F 🗓️ Deadline: 11th August 2024 #StateOfCaring2024 #CarersMatter #SupportCarers #UKCarers

Our other report released today for #carersrightsday in collaboration with Carers UK, estimates the value of unpaid care in all four nations of the UK. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/e3TggFje Unpaid carers in the UK are now providing care worth a staggering £184.3 billion a year, evidenced by new research published by Carers UK and the Centre for Care today. This huge increase – up by £64.9 billion since 2011 – is because families are providing more care than ever before. Despite the vital care they provide, many unpaid carers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford day-to-day living costs due to rising prices and additional bills associated with their caring role – making support to stay in work where possible vital.