There is still plenty of work to do to make the region’s public transport more accessible for people of all abilities, a south-west advocate says.
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Warrnambool’s Merrilyn Reid is urging elderly travellers and those with a disability to speak up when they faced problems on the region’s trains, buses and taxis.
“People don’t realise that they can complain and the more people who complain and make a noise, that’s a way to get things done,” she said.
“A lot of people won’t stand up for themselves, they won’t argue…If they’re told ‘no you can’t’ they will stay home.”
Mrs Reid said often the Warrnambool to Melbourne train service did not have an accessible carriage, while newer local buses had shorter ramps, which made them steeper and harder to use for people using wheelchairs or scooters.
She said the challenge was greater for country travellers.
“Partly because you haven’t got the flexibility with the timetables and, as I said, often there’s not the accessible carriage on the train and you’re forced to go in a taxi or stay home,” she said.
Her opinion is backed up by Council of the Ageing Victoria, which lists improved public transport in regional areas for people with mobility issues as one of its top priorities for state budget funding.
Chief executive Ronda Held said a lack of transport led to isolation and had knock-on effects on a person’s health.
“Not only is transport vital for attending medical appointments, access to proper transport means older people can age in their local community among their social and family networks,” she said.
Mrs Reid uses her own experiences to advise public transport operators like V/Line on the needs of travellers with disabilities.
“Sometimes we feel we have been banging our heads against a brick wall, but we have had some significant gains over the years and that makes it better for everybody,” she said.
The wins include specialised training for V/Line staff and the removal of blocks of seats from V/Line buses to allow passengers in wheelchairs to travel at any time.
“Before that we had to book 48 hours in advance, no one else has to book 48 hours in advance when they want to travel,” Mrs Reid said.
She said it was important older travellers and those with a disability knew their rights.
“A lot of people give the impression that they think people with disabilities should be home watching Days of Our Lives and not out and about enjoying life and contributing to the community.
“I won’t accept that, I just say ‘get over it, I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got every right to travel’.”
