Melbourne's tram network, the largest in the world, is facing a significant accessibility crisis. Despite the Howard Government's laws for accessible public transport, which should have been met by 2022, the network continues to fall short of national standards.
A recent report by the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) reveals a disappointing lack of progress. Only 18% of Melbourne's tram services are accessible, with low-floor trams meeting level-access platforms. This is a mere 3% improvement over the past five years, and the report finds that the department's efforts have slowed since its 2020 audit.
The impact of this neglect is felt by people like Terry Wesselink, a 60-year-old with a connective tissue disorder. She relies on a mobility walker and faces significant challenges with Melbourne's tram system. Her closest tram line, Route 19, often has steps to board, which are impossible for her to navigate. She has even experienced being left behind by a tram while her husband got off.
"I can only walk about 300 metres before I absolutely have to stop," she says.
Ms. Wesselink's experience is not unique. About one in five Victorians have a disability, and yet the state government has failed to meet its accessibility targets. The report highlights that the Department of Transport and Planning has sought legal advice regarding its failures and has produced plans and strategies focused on accessibility, but these lack concrete targets, time frames, and funding allocations.
"I am not valued as a human being because my needs are not being taken into account," Ms. Wesselink states, expressing her frustration with the lack of progress.
The Howard Government's laws aimed to ensure accessible public transport, but the 2022 deadline was missed, and the VAGO report predicts the 2032 compliance deadline for low-floor trams will also be missed. Victorian Greens MP Katherine Copsey calls the lack of progress "shameful," emphasizing the need for the government to prioritize funding for accessibility.
Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledges the importance of an accessible public transport system, particularly for people with disabilities, but disability advocates argue that more support is needed to bridge the gap between modern and legacy infrastructure.
"Level tram stops don't have great ribbon-cutting opportunities. It's a hidden, quiet, normal thing that we need to do," Ms. Wesselink says.
The controversy lies in the disparity between the government's investments and the actual progress made towards accessibility. With a world-renowned tram network, Melbourne has the potential to lead the way in inclusive public transport, but it seems that, for now, it is failing to meet the needs of its citizens with disabilities.
