Train station accessibility

I’ve been campaigning for train station accessibility upgrades in Maiwar since I was elected in 2017. Since then, we’ve seen accessibility upgrades at Auchenflower Station that’ve allowed lots more people to take the train and access local amenities, including the Wesley Hospital.

Unfortunately, the State Government refuses to commit to accessibility upgrades for Taringa Station. Only accessible by steep flights of stairs, Taringa Station is inaccessible for people in wheelchairs, those with mobility issues, and parents/carers with prams. Taringa Station is a busy station used more than 40,000 times a month. It’s also very close to important community facilities including our federal MP’s office, a private hospital, a medical centre, a pharmacist, a pathology, the local shops, a church, and a park.

For years, the Labor State Government has put an accessibility upgrade at Taringa Station in the “too hard basket”. They refuse to even add it to the Station Accessibility Upgrade Program, despite apparently meeting their own criteria for upgrades. With no local busways on the west side, it’s even more important we have accessible train stations.

It’s time to let the Transport Minister know that there’s no time for excuses - we need an accessibility upgrade at Taringa Station now. Sign the petition to show your support.

The broader issue

This issue is being felt by residents across Queensland. Right now, many of our train stations statewide don’t meet legislated disability standards. That’s a significant number of train stations where residents in wheelchairs, those with mobility issues, and parents/carers with prams are unable to access their local train station.

Alongside residents and disability advocates, I called on the government to commit to full compliance by the 2022 deadline specified in the federal Disability Discrimination Act. In response to my Estimates question, the Transport Minister admitted in 2018 that the government wouldn’t meet that deadline. That deadline’s now long passed and we’re still waiting for accessibility upgrades across Queensland.

Accessibility is an essential investment for our communities. Everyone should be able to access our public transport system. Investing in these vital infrastructure upgrades has clear social, economic and health benefits. It’s about time the Government made it a clear priority.

2,000 Signatures

2,149 Signatures

Will you sign?

PETITION to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey MP and the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland:

Currently, many of the state’s train stations do not comply with federal disability standards for public transport.

The social and economic benefits of public transport accessibility are very clear yet the busy Taringa Station is still inaccessible for many. This excludes many members of our community from using the station, hindering their access to homes and amenities.

We understand both Queensland Rail and the Queensland Government are committed in principle to making public transport accessible for all. Now it’s time to turn this commitment into action. Accordingly, your petitioners request the Government fund and install accessibility upgrades to Taringa Station by 2024.

We also request the Government commit to a binding, fully funded plan to make all of Queensland’s train stations fully accessible.

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