Comments on: Accessible Public Transport: What’s Your Verdict?

By: Caz

Caz — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:20:27 +0000

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.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:19:28 +0000

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.

By: Allyson

Allyson — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:59:27 +0000

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.

By: KiwiJenn

KiwiJenn — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:22:13 +0000

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.

By: Richard Goulstone

Richard Goulstone — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:39:03 +0000

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).