Wheeling Wendy

Life in a wheelchair as a Independent Mum, wife, teacher and advocate for change.

[wheelingwendy]

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Travel by Train to Sydney to watch VIVID.  Arrive at Central Station at 10:30pm to return home.  Asked Train staff if the next train to the Central Coast is accessible?  “All our trains are accessible”.  Train arrives, staff place ramp in front of carriage doors.  Ask staff where do I go?  Advised the train is a V-Set and I would have to stay in the door section (the vestibule) section.  Advised Staff it is a Safety hazard for me to stay there.  Also advise them that is is illegal!!!!!

Train staff state there is no where else for me to sit.....Even though the train is accessible?? Ask for Manager, told there is no manager!!  5  minutes later manager eventually comes as tells me there is nothing he can do.  If I want to get home I need to travel in the unsafe/illegal area.  I ask to speak to his manager.  Advised his manager cannot do anything....

It’s 10:45pm and the train starts to leave without my family and I......

Ask where is the person in charge.  Told again there is nothing they can do.  Demanded to speak to someone in charge.  At this stage the Police are hanging around.  I explain to a Police Officer that I was advised that all trains are accessible..but I cannot get home due to the trains not being accessible.  Advised there is nothing they can.  They suggest my family and I wait for the 11:45pm Train which is accessible. 

Its very cold, isolated and raining...Where is the duty of care???  We are advised the next train at 11:45pm is a “V-Set” and we would have the same issues...How will we get home???

My family and I have no option but to try and book a Taxi or Uber. Thankfully a Uber driver came to our rescue....I will be sending the receipt for the $180 fare to Sydney Trains.

[wheelingwendy]

Are all NSW Train Services Wheelchair Accessible?

The answer is no.

Once again I am frustrated with the NSW Intercity Newcastle/Central train service.  

Early Wednesday morning I traveled to Sydney CBD on an OSCAR Train via the Intercity Newcastle/Central Train service, it was a smooth trip with no hassles.

Later in the day, I arrived at Central Station to return home.  I went to the information desk to ask when the next “Accessible” train to Newcastle would be available.  I was told “All trains are accessible; the next train leaving would be at 13:15 (1:15pm) on platform 9”.  I raced quickly to Platform 9 and noticed a “V-Set” train waiting.  I asked the train conductor where the accessible carriage could be found.  I went to the platform and could not find an accessible carriage.  Train staff offered assisted with a ramp.  I advised them that my chair would not fit through the internal doors.  They suggested I fold my wheelchair up and sit in a train seat.  I advised that I cannot transfer to a train seat.  The next suggestion was to travel in-between the external doors and internal doors.  I advised the staff that I have been advised it is unsafe to travel in this section.  

OSCAR Trains are accessible, and I’ve never had an issue catching them with my wheelchair.

The train conductor and I discussed the situation trying to find a solution.  No solution could be found.  The train left and the conductor apologised and agreed that it was not fair that I would have to wait to catch a train because they were not accessible.

I returned back to the information desk and advised the staff member that the train was not accessible.  She advised she would sort it out.  After a great deal of time she advised that her manager would meet with me.  I meet with the manager and advised him of the issue.  He advised me that the next train to leave for Newcastle would be at 13:45 (1:45pm).  A V-Set arrived on platform 9.  We both checked the train for an accessible compartment.  No accessible space for me and my wheelchair.  I advised that I was not impressed and that I wanted to speak to his manager.  “All I wanted to do was catch a train to take me home” Two Managers arrived. One Manager asked me what the issue was.  I advised him that I was told the 13:15 Newcastle/Central service on platform 9 was accessible. The service was not accessible.  I tried to board the 13:45 train service, which too was not accessible.  I then advised him that all I wanted to do was to get home.  He advised me to wait and he would see what he could do.

The 14:15 Newcastle train arrived on platform 10, a V-Set.  The Manager approached me and advised there were two options, try and board the 14:15 V-set train.  If this was not successful I could board the Brisbane train which could make an additonal stop at my required station.  

We checked the V-Set Newcastle train and I was shocked to find an accessible carriage.  At least I was finally getting to go home….

All trains in New South Wales are NOT accessible and Transport NSW should not claim that they are. Only very few V Sets have undergone refurbishment to make them accessible but in most V Set trains (used on intercity lines including the Central Coast & Newcastle line and Blue Mountains line)  there is NO space for wheelchairs.

How is that it is 2016 and yet so many of NSW trains are not accessible?

[wheelingwendy]

Accessible Parking

Love these Red Poles..Accessible Standards have designed accessible parking to include these poles..Almost 100% sure they didn't consult people who need to use these designated carparks

[wheelingwendy]

ROYAL ADELAIDE SHOW

"It would be so much easier without the wheelchair"

Didn't realise how inaccessible the Royal Adelaide Show was until my family and I took our 7 year old nephew. Upon leaving he said "It would be so much easier without the wheelchair"..... 

[wheelingwendy]

Trains in Sydney

"Ouch you hurt my foot!!!!"

Well that's the end of using those dodgy Sydney train ramps