TASBUS CONCERNED ABOUT LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE FOR DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT

The requirements of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport, developed to support the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 will be an important topic at the TasBus Annual General Meeting and Conference to be held in Hobart on Monday 4 June.

Geoff Lewis, TasBus General Manager, said the issue would be covered in presentations by the Tasmanian Bus Association and the Bus Industry Confederation.

“TasBus is very concerned about the readiness of the Tasmanian bus passenger transport industry in meeting all the obligations required by the due date,” he said.

“In an environment where for many years bus operators have not known if their contracts will be retained, and if so, what form they will take including funding arrangements, it is not surprising that some Tasmanian operators may fall short in meeting their obligations by the deadline in December. 

“There is no question that the implications associated with DDA compliance will impact on all bus operators in Tasmania, except for School student only travel, and we are very concerned about our state of readiness.”

The Standards set down a timetable for compliance.  The first target date is 31 December 2007. Aspects of services that must be compliant are information 100 per cent compliant, infrastructure 25 per cent compliant, bus stops 25 per cent compliant, bus services and vehicles 25 per cent compliant and coaches 25 per cent compliant.

The legislation that describe the Standards and their application are currently subject of a detailed review initiated by the Federal Government. The review will examine the level of compliance across Australia.

“This situation exposes some operators to possible complaints and potential prosecution under the Act for those aspects which they are accountable, such as Services and Vehicles,” Mr Lewis said.

“We believe that all levels of Governments in Tasmania with responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure should also be very concerned about the level of progress on their DDA-related obligations.

“TasBus has held discussions with the Government and met with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to discuss particular circumstances in Tasmania.

“It is important to note that TasBus strongly supports the purpose of the DDA and the Standards.”

However, the Tasmanian Government’s Review into Core Passenger Services, which resulted from legislation that first entered the Tasmanian parliament in 1997, has stifled investment in Vehicles and Services by operators for years.

The Core Passenger Service Review is not due to be completed until June 2008.

“TasBus and its membership remain committed to working towards meeting their obligations and will be seeking further urgent discussions with the government,” he said.

“We will be striving to gain its assistance so we can jointly and cooperatively explore strategies and plans to deal with this issue.”