Disability access brings fresh headache for new trains
DISABILITY access flaws plaguing the State Government’s troubled $4.4 billion train building program could force a costly project redesign, fuelling concerns of further delays.
The Government confirmed it was looking at how to overcome disability access issues with its New Generand ation Rollingstock, including a “redesign of some train elements”. A Transport Department spokesman said that “no decisions had been made on time frames or budget yet” it was still consulting. “We are confident any accessibility changes will not delay the entry of the first NGR trains into passenger service at the end of this year,” he said.
Disability advocate Geoff Trappett has been consulted on the redesign option.
Design problems include toilets and aisles being too narrow for wheelchairs and the guard positioned too far from disability access points in the centre of the platform.
Mr Trappett said the redesign option raised doubts about whether the trains could be ready by the Commonwealth Games in April.
But Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said they were confident the trains would begin running by the end of the year.