The Australian Government has welcomed the findings of the first five year statutory review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards).

The Government commissioned an independent consultant, the Allen Consulting Group, to conduct the review. The review found that the introduction of the Transport Standards has significantly changed the way government and public transport operators and providers deliver access to public transport for people with disability.

The report includes 15 recommendations to improve accessibility of public transport. These recommendations address a range of issues in areas such as mobility aids, school buses, taxis, air travel, transport in rural and regional areas and improving data on accessible public transport.

Anthony Albanese, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Attorney-General Robert McClelland, and Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, said the report examined an important area in the Government’s commitment to removing the barriers to equal participation and improve the lives of people living with disability.

“The Transport Standards specify levels of service, measures and actions that public transport operators and providers must undertake to meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992,” Mr Albanese said.

“I am pleased to see that the Standards are helping to facilitate the progressive removal of discrimination experienced by people with disability, which is after all why they are in place,” Mr McClelland said. The review also found that the Transport Standards have been effective in

encouraging investment in accessible infrastructure and transport.

“While progress has been made on accessibility of public transport, the Australian Government will continue to work with State and Territory governments, public and private transport operators and providers, along with the disability community, to ensure improvements are made ” Senator McLucas said.

Senator McLucas said the endorsement by Commonwealth, state and territory governments of the National Disability Strategy in February will help ensure that mainstream services, including transport, address the needs of people with disability.

The Government will progress the outcomes of the review working with the States and Territories through the Australian Transport Council, the peak Ministerial council for transport issues in Australia.

The review report and Government response are available at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/transport/disabilities/review/