Comments on: V/Line’s sorry history of inaccessible trains

By: A new life for retired V/Line carriages - Waking up in Geelong

A new life for retired V/Line carriages - Waking up in Geelong — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 11:46:10 +0000

[…] carriages, and four power vans. The four accessible carriages were converted to broad gauge, providing accessible toilets and sitting areas to other V/Line […]

By: Benny

Benny — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:18:54 +0000

In reply to Beren.

I am one of the “entitled” who relies upon accessible options in many areas of my life, including public transport. My disability is not self-inflicted. I was born with it and have no choice but to manage it. I have no way of “fixing” myself. In addition I also struggle with depression and other mental health issues directly related to my condition.

Each week I encounter a new problem with an organisation or service which prevents me from carrying out basic tasks, actions or errands. Some organisations are usually good and will take on feedback and adapt; others will arrange special and reasonable accommodations for me; a small number adopt a “too bad” attitude.

All services, be they public or private, should have a minimum level of accessibility to allow people with specific needs to access them. I do agree that it may not be reasonable to cater for everyone’s specific circumstances, and there are provisions in the Act and the HRC which address such exemptions.

But to say accessibility is “nonsense” and people with disabilities are “entitled”? Whilst I would never wish a disability on anyone, perhaps you’d like to take one on so you may experience what it’s like from the other side.

Either you’re a troll or a complete cunt.

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 00:27:33 +0000

In reply to Philip. There are crew steps fitted beneath every passenger door, but the handrails have only been removed from the door to the wheelchair area - so there are still five doors per side available for train crew to use, the most important ones being those immediately behind the cab.

By: Philip

Philip — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 03:42:13 +0000

Did they not think of a fold-down hand rail when trying to achieve both space for mobility aids and capacity for staff to climb down to the ground (before they widened the doors)? Or a combination of an external hand rail on the outside wall and the truncated one inside the doorway?

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 01:46:46 +0000

In reply to Beren. "Fuck you, I got mine" but with more words. What a disgusting lack of empathy.

By: andrew

andrew — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 23:22:06 +0000

@Beren, that, of course, is your opinion. It is very traditional; it is the reason why the older carriages featured narrow walkways. The railways wanted to cram as many people into the carriages as possible and few were concerned about people who didn’t fit.

Social values have changed a bit since then, whether you agree with them or not.

You might like to think about how you would cope if you needed a mobility aid. Remember that it’s always pure luck whether you will need such an aid. You might need such an aid due to a simple accident – such as a road accident. You might develop a medical condition. You might need such an aid due to simple aging. No one chooses to use an aid.

You might be rich enough to be able to travel without such accommodations – I doubt you are, though. Very few people are.

By: Beren

Beren — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 21:50:48 +0000

I completely disagree with the entitlement of disabled commuters who have this government mandated right to enjoy public transport at the same level as anyone else. The fact is, your disability is your problem and the community should not be expected to pay for this nonsense.