Loading ...
Hey all, apologies for the lack of updates over the long weekend, I hope you all enjoyed your holiday! Now, I hate to start the new week off on a negative note so I’m just gonna put it out there:
I hate using Auckland’s public transport system.
Only around half the buses are wheelchair accessible. Of those, half again have drivers who don’t know - and are willing to argue with you - about whether they have a ramp onboard or not; you have to point it out to them. Then you have to teach them how to use it. The ones that are aware of the ramp grumble about having to put it down, comments like “Why are you making me do this on my last trip?”, “Hurry up, you’re making me late”, and “I’m not putting this ramp down for you, other people in wheelchairs don’t need it” are all examples of harrassment I’ve experienced in the past week. The ones that are polite, courteous and most of all willing to help are so few and far between, they make my day!
I actually donated a day of my time a few months ago to help Stagecoach Auckland film a training video to show their drivers how to assist disabled people board and dismount a bus, yet sadly it seems to have made no difference; whilst catching buses to and from Uni I still experience abuse on a weekly basis. This is simply unacceptable.
Trains are a slightly different story, and truth be told, I haven’t had a single bad experience on a train as yet (although to be fair, I’ve only caught a handful of trains, as opposed to hundreds of buses). In order to get a wheelchair onto one of Auckland’s many trains, they lug out this massive portable aluminium ramp which is stored against the wall of the carriage when not in use, and because it’s so big it always provides a nice gradual incline to get aboard, which is in stark contrast to the near-45 degree angle sometimes presented by the stumpy bus ramps! It’s also worth noting that disabled people (both with physical and vision impairments) get discounted train fares, however not so on the bus.
Interestingly, whilst holidaying in Christchurch recently, I found the bus drivers much more friendly and accommodating, so perhaps it’s a north vs. south thing? A company-culture thing?
What’s public transport like in your area in terms of accessibility? Are the staff friendly and accommodating or do they treat you like you’re a piece of dirt? I certainly think it’s one thing we need to sort out up here. Leave your comments below!
5 responses so far ↓
1 Richard Goulstone // Oct 23, 2007 at 9:39 am
You are absolutely right. I had my eyes opened when I went to Sydney about 15 years ago, where all the public transport is so easily accessible. Even just wheeling round the city was a breeze. But in Auckland it is like the dark ages with the buses, and some of curb ramps are like everest to me (in a manual chair).
2 KiwiJenn // Oct 23, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I use trains and they are pretty good, although the conductors (sp) do not know how to approach disabled people!! I’ve had two problems with the platform ramp, which has freaked me out abit. The New Lynn platform is not level, so depending on where they get the ramp out, depends on the steepness of the ramp, and this is a huge risk. I didn’t even think about the steepness of the ramp till I almost fell of the ramp once I was at the top end of the ramp, and almost inside the train. The ramp was so steep my chair struggled near the top, then stopped at the top and I was freaking out that I and chair was going to fall between train and platform. This has happened twice now. I have contacted the Council, yet they tell me the platform and train area won’t be revamped for another 2-3 years, yet they have almost done half of the Western Line and other platforms.
I get free trips sometimes too. But the train fare is so cheap, it’s awesome.
I don’t use buses much anymore. My friend and I friend (both in powerchairs) were at Newmark waiting for a bus, it arrived and left. Driver said we are full, wait another 20mins for the next bus. I was told that the bus driver has to ask the passengers to move to other seats, pull up the seat in the disabled area and let us on. I also went to the Flower show last year and went on a bus from car park to the show. I could barely fit down the isle. Those in wider chair’s won’t have a chance to get on a bus unless they sit in the front, next to the driver.
3 Allyson // Oct 27, 2007 at 11:59 am
Bus drivers need disability awareness training. What frustrates me the most with catching buses these days is when they stop quite a distance from the curb. I can walk, but stepping up and down curbs is very complex, and by the time I have stepped down, the bus has driven off.
4 Amy // Nov 3, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I moved to Christchurch last year having had 3 years of studying in Auckland. I have found the buses in this city are more than adequate. All of the drivers who I have come across, have been more than willing to help me to get up the ramps in my wheelchair. I never used the buses in Auckland because it was a mission to push myself down Mount St and across Wellesley to get to the bus stop. In Chch, there are many places where buses are able to stop. This makes travelling much less expensive.
5 Caz // Dec 11, 2007 at 10:20 am
Hamilton buses are a mission if you have a Melrose Chair like mine, luckily when I get my electric one it will fit.
Another friend of mine who is in a manual to and I have to go into the Wheelchair space forwards when it clearly says engage breaks and use Seatbelt, that is provided only that isn’t possible!.
I agree on the drivers I have had to complain about a couple of drivers, one said “Hurry up I am 15 minutes late” and the next time I saw her she refused me, another turned round when it was 3:15 and said “Next time you will have to get on another bus at this time if your going to be taking THAT!”, the people at Environment Waikato agreed with me that Wheelchair users are top priority and School Kids can stand.
Your so right, friendly and helpful drivers are so far in between.
I have also had an ignorant driver who could see I was in a chair and it took my partner to tell him we needed the ramp before it clicked and he lowered it.
Leave a Comment