Accessible travel
Free face painting and balloon magic these school holidays
At Newcastle Transport, we are constantly striving to provide a public transport network that is inclusive and accessible for all.
Newcastle Transport light rail, buses and ferries are accessible.
Mobility aids including wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs, walking frames, prams and strollers can safely board and travel on light rail, most buses, ferries and trains. Approved assistance animals are allowed on Newcastle Transport.
Accessible light rail travel
If you have limited mobility, you can travel on all light rail services. Staff can assist you with getting on and off light rail vehicles.
There are ramps for getting to and from the platform and all light rail stops have network maps and electronic information displays indicating when the next service is due.
For more information on mobility aid specifications, visit transportnsw.info
Getting on and off the light rail vehicle with a wheelchair
If you require assistance or the ramp to board light rail, wait for your service by positioning yourself in the wheelchair boarding zone. Look for the wheelchair symbol marked in the tiles on the platform.
On approaching the stop, the driver or Customer Service Officers will be notified and will be ready to assist you with the boarding ramp.
When you are on board, park in the designated wheelchair space. Ensure your mobility aid is out of the aisle and apply the brakes.
If the vehicle is full or the designated areas already have passengers with mobility aids, you will have to wait for the next service.
Next stop audio announcements are made on board. When approaching your stop, use the Emergency Help Point button to alert the driver that you require the boarding ramp at the next stop.
Accessible bus travel
Regular services provided by Newcastle Transport buses are accessible. If you have limited mobility, you can board and travel on most buses.
Planning an accessible trip with the Trip Planner shows you which bus services have accessible features. On printed bus timetables in leaflet or at stop, look for the wheelchair accessible symbol or the letter a for accessible services.
Buses that are accessible have the wheelchair symbol displayed on the front of the bus. They have lower floors, wide doors, wide aisles and there are no steps in the front half of the bus. Other features include handrails, accessible stop buttons and highly-visible LED destination signs on the front the bus. There is an accessible next stop button in the mobility aid seating area that indicates to the driver to pull in close and lower the bus at the next stop
Accessible buses have designated areas with folded seats that are designed to fit mobility aids such as wheelchairs and ride-on scooters. These areas are also used for prams and strollers. However, wheelchairs and persons with limited mobility always have priority.
If you are person with a disability, you will be given priority boarding. The bus driver will assist with getting on and off the bus safely. Read the accessible bus travel information when planning your trip.
If you have limited mobility or feel unsteady on your feet, sit near the front of the bus. Stay seated and avoid changing seats while the bus is moving. When getting off the bus, use the front doors.
If travelling with a pram and young children, you can board with the child in the pram on accessible buses. You can also take your child out, fold up the pram and carry or assist your child onto the bus.
The driver is responsible for the safety and comfort of all customers on board so follow their instructions.
For more information on boarding bus with a wheelchair, contact us
On rare occasions, due to operational requirements a non-accessible bus may be used to substitute accessible services.
Most regular bus stops across Newcastle Transport and Lake Macquarie now have braille lettering installed to assist vision impaired customers with stop information.
Accessible ferry travel
All Newcastle Transport vessels and wharves are accessible to people using essential mobility aids.
Wheelchair accessible wharves have level or ramped access that allows independent access by a person using a manual wheelchair or walking aid. They are also accessible via electric wheelchairs or scooters or if you are travelling with the help of a friend or carer. The staff will ensure you are safely on board and your mobility aid is securely parked in the designated area before departing time.
For more mobility aid specifications, visit transportnsw.info
Accessible transport action plan
Keolis Downer prioritise delivering high quality services to all customers including those with disability or limited mobility.
Overview
This Accessible Transport Action Plan (ATAP) outlines the short-term and long-term actions Keolis Downer will take to create an accessible, all-inclusive and passenger focused public transport network, in compliance with the:
(i) The DDA Legislation;
(ii) Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW);
(iii) Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW); and
(iv) The Guidelines for Disability Action Planning by NSW Government Agencies.
This plan sets a program of actions for the first year of the contract. This plan will be reviewed annually.
Guiding principles
Accessibility Strategy
Keolis Downer has set its accessibility experience strategy based on five priorities.
Priority 1 – Deliver an accessible and intuitive journey by improving the information and quality of the passenger assistance
Priority 2 – Engage with communities and stakeholders to anticipate passenger needs and deliver proven solutions, as well as developing education and marketing programs to call for community members’ commitment
Priority 3 – Improve the access to public transport services by ensuring KD owned assets are fully-accessible and by liaising with other stakeholders to improve other related infrastructure
Priority 4 – Develop a strong culture of accessibility awareness in all layers of the organisation
Priority 5 – Support and report to TfNSW by providing information on accessibility and by being a forceful voice behind new initiatives
