Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) as amended, are formulated by the Attorney-General under subsection 31 (1) of the DDA.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development has responsibility for providing public transport policy advice on the Transport Standards.
The Transport Standards were initially released on 23 October 2002 and subsequently amended in 2004, 2005 and 2010 with the current compilation, 1 May 2011, taking into account amendments up to Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport Amendment 2010 (No.1).
The Transport Standards seek to provide a level of certainty to operators and providers of public transport conveyances and infrastructure about their responsibilities under the DDA. The Transport Standards also identify a series of target dates for compliance extending over a 30 year timeframe.
To view the Transport Standards, please click here
Gold Senior / Pensioner Opal Card
The NSW Government has announced the next step in delivering world class ‘tap and go’ electronic ticketing will arrive next year, with the majority of old-style paper tickets to be phased out on 1 January 2016. From 1 January 2016, 57 paper ticket products will no longer be sold.
Customers should start preparing now to upgrade to Opal, so getting around is simpler and cheaper. The next stage of Opal means customers will only be able to purchase Adult and Concession single or return tickets for trains, ferries and light rail, plus singles for buses.
To find out about the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal Card visit the Opal website at www.opal.com.au/en/about-opal/opal_for_senior_pensioners
Stop Announcer (NSW)
Stop Announcer (NSW) is designed to help customers with vision impairment navigate their way on public transport.
It has a clear, high-contrast display and is designed to work with the Android accessibility feature, “TalkBack” to provide audio prompt announcements as customers arrive at bus stops, train stations, ferry wharves and light rail stops.
Features of the Stop Announcer (NSW) app include:
- is only available on Android devices .
- uses GPS to get your device’s location and announce your route. Stop Announcer will not work well inside buildings.
- will warn you at regular intervals when there is no GPS available; you can change the frequency of this warning or turn it off in the GPS settings.
- is a route guidance app, it will not plan your trip.
- uses stop numbers to determine your route.
- allows you to save stops and routes for regular or planned trips.
- can find the stop closest to you, or you can enter a known stop number.
- allows you to listen to stop information again by tapping the ‘Speak’ button at any point.
- works with Talkback turned on or off.
- shows all transport modes; options are available to filter your transport mode.
- is highly customisable via the settings menu.
Click here to see more information about the Stop Announcer (NSW) app.
You can download the Stop Announcer (NSW) app from Google Play.
Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS)
The Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) assists eligible residents of NSW with severe or permanent disability to use the taxi service. TTSS participants use vouchers to receive a subsidy on their taxi fare. The TTSS vouchers can be used in both Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs) and non-WATS.
The subsidy is 50% of the total fare with a maximum subsidy of $30 per journey. For example: If the total fare is $40, you can use a travel docket to pay $20 of the fare and pay the remaining $20 yourself.
TTSS Dockets can only be used for taxis within NSW and cannot be used for any other type of vehicle that is not a taxi. The docket should only be used by the person whose name and account appear on the docket. Proof of identity may be requested by the taxi driver.
Click here to find out more about the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS).
Trip Planner
The Transport NSW website has a trip planner function on their website which allows you to plan your trip and check accessible services only.
To plan your trip visit the Transport NSW website www.transportnsw.info.