Thanks to you and others who have joined us, we keep working hard to make progress.
Here’s what’s happened recently:
- We are excited to share a huge milestone with you – our petition has officially reached 10,000 signatures! 🎉 This wouldn’t have been possible without your support, and we are incredibly grateful for your commitment. Every signature, including yours, is helping us make a powerful statement and move one step closer to our goal.
- We’ve had further interest from the media and today Oscar Jaeger from Herald Sun has published an article highlighting our petition and pushing for TGSIs at all railway stations. It’s online Tactile Ground Surface Indicators for blind people missing at 26 Melbourne stations. Hopefully it may go to print tomorrow.
- Gabrielle Williams – Minister for Public and Active Transport, has responded to correspondence sent in support of us by Kate Thwaites and Anthony Carbines with a ‘prescription’ response mirroring the responses we’ve received from Metro and Department of Transport. Kate Thwaites and Anthony Carbines have reached out for a further response and follow up.
We are sure that some of you will recognise the response below as a result of the complaints you’ve sent to PTV and Metro.
Accessible Infrastructure
By way of background, Metro is responsible for maintaining the existing infrastructure on the train network while major infrastructure projects, including station upgrades, requires approval and funding from the State, and falls under the jurisdiction of the State Government’s DTP.
Both Metro and the DTP understand the importance of public transport being accessible and inclusive for all passengers to be able to travel independently.
The Victorian Government is working to ensure our public transport network is inclusive and accessible for all Victorians. This includes record investment in transport infrastructure that has delivered significant accessibility improvements through the construction of new and upgraded stations.
While much has been done, accessibility gaps and challenges of various extents remain at public transport interchanges across Victoria.
In September 2024, the DTP published the Transport Accessibility Strategic Framework. This identifies the approach DTP will take in addressing accessibility gaps and improving transport experiences for everyone, particularly people with a disability, in line with universal accessibility goals. The Strategy includes an advanced method for identifying priorities in fixing transport accessibility issues. More information about the Strategy is available at: https://www.vic.gov.au/transport-accessibility-strategic-framework.
We understand it’s important for passengers to be able to travel independently and are considering future upgrades at train stations across the network, including at Heidelberg, Ivanhoe and Darebin Stations.
Upgrades at train stations are prioritised based on several factors including patronage demand and growth, safety and accessibility issues, as well as site complexities and constraints.
The DTP is always looking at ways to improve Victoria’s public transport network so that it is safe and accessible for all Victorians. All customer comments are collected and made available to the DTP, and this information assists with planning changes or improvements.
Your valuable and important feedback will be considered as part of planning for potential future upgrades.
We appreciate you taking the time to advise us of your concerns.
Thank you again for your feedback. If you wish to discuss further, or would like more information, please call Public Transport Victoria: 1800 800 007, quoting the above reference number, or send an email to customer.feedback@metrotrains.com.au
We’re not stopping here! To keep the momentum going, here’s how you can continue supporting the cause:
- We’d love you to reach out to Anthony Carbines, Kate Thwaites, Gabrielle Williams, Metro and/or PTV to let them know that we have a large support group backing us. Let them know that we aren’t going away until they fix the problem.
- If you happen to use Ivanhoe, Heidelberg or Eaglemont Stations please consider sending a photo of the platform to PTV via Snap Send Solve.
Thank you once again for your invaluable support. We are so close, and together, we will make a real difference!
Lisa, Lilly and our wonderful group of supporters.