3296 - ACCESSIBLE SUBURBAN, INTERCITY, METRO AND REGIONAL STATIONS

(1) How many suburban stations are classified as:

(a) independently accessible?

(b) assisted access?

(c) not accessible?

(2) How many intercity stations are classified as:

(a) independently accessible?

(b) assisted access?

(c) not accessible?

(3) How many metro stations are classified as:

(a) independently accessible?

(b) assisted access?

(c) not accessible?

(4) How many regional stations are classified as:

(a) independently accessible?

(b) assisted access?

(c) not accessible?

(5) For each station type, i.e. suburban, intercity, metro and regional, what are the specific determinations for classifying a station as:

(a) independently accessible?

(b) assisted access?

(c) not accessible?

(6) Answers provided on notice from Budget Estimates Transport hearing on 3 September 2024 advised that following the completion of projects currently funded for delivery under the Safe Accessible Transport program, 75.2 per cent of suburban, intercity, metro and regional stations would be classified as Independently Accessible, 12.14 per cent as Assisted Access, and 12.66 per cent as Not Accessible. Could you please provide a breakdown of those expected to be classified as Independently Accessible, Assisted Access and Not Accessible, into each station type, i.e. suburban, intercity, metro and regional?

(a) When are these currently funded projects expected to be completed by?

(b) Could you please provide a list of every station expected to be classified as either Assisted Access or Not Accessible?

(7) Could you please provide an estimated timeline for when zero percent of suburban, intercity, metro and regional stations will be classified as Not Accessible?

I am advised:

(1) The current classification of Sydney stations are:

(a) 140 out of 160 stations are independently accessible (87.5%*)

(b) 6 require assisted access (3.75%*)

(c) 14 stations are not accessible (8.75%*)

* The percentages exclude Sydney Metro stations and the stations closed under the Sydenham to Bankstown conversion (including Belmore, Campsie, Canterbury, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Lakemba, Marrickville, Punchbowl and Wiley Park) (T3 - Sydenham to Bankstown Line), which are independently accessible.

(2) The current classification of Intercity stations are:

(a) 64 out of 129 stations are independently accessible (49.61%)

(b) 30 require assisted access (23.26%)

(c) 35 stations are not accessible (27.13%)

(3) All Sydney Metro stations are fully compliant with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and are independently accessible. This includes all stations on the operational M1 Metro North West and Bankstown Line (Chatswood to Sydenham), as well as the Southwest, Western Sydney Airport and West projects, which are under construction.

(4) The current classification of Regional stations are:

(a) 49 out of 64 stations are independently accessible (76.56%)

(b) 12 require assisted access (18.74%)

(c) 3 stations are not accessible (4.7%)

(5) For each station type, the specific determinations for classifying a station are as follows:

(a) Independent access: Customers can independently access all platforms/wharves and travel between platforms/wharves via accessible paths, ramps or lifts without using stairs. Deployable ramps on the station platforms by the station staff or train guards are still required for this category of train stations.

(b) Assisted access: Customers may require assistance from a carer or companion to access all platforms/wharves or travel between platforms/wharves, as they may have steep ramps or a rail level crossing.

(c) Not accessible: Customers are required to use stairs to access platforms/wharves or between platforms/wharves.

(6) The table below is an indicative summary of network accessibility following completion of projects funded under the Safe Accessible Transport program, through to late 2027.

(a) Estimated project completion dates for projects funded for delivery are published on the Safe Accessible Transport program webpage.

(b) The table below captures the list of stations classified as Assisted Access and Not Accessible following the completion of projects currently funded for delivery under the Safe Accessible Transport program.

All Sydney Metro stations are fully compliant with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport and are independently accessible. This includes all stations on the operational M1 Metro North West and Bankstown Line (Chatswood to Sydenham), as well as the Southwest, Western Sydney Airport and West projects which are currently under construction.

(7) The NSW Government reaffirmed its commitment to providing accessible public transport infrastructure by announcing the Safe Accessible Transport program on 12 February 2024. As part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget, $547.5 million was allocated over four years.

Stations currently classified as 'not accessible' and funded for delivery under the Safe Accessible Transport program are Tuggerah, Moss Vale, Queanbeyan, Griffith, Bardwell Park, Chester Hill, Macquarie Fields and Lewisham. All eight stations are due to be progressively completed between 2025 and 2027. Concept design development is also progressing for a further eight stations classified as 'not accessible': Macdonaldtown, Lawson, Woodford, Mount Victoria, Coniston, Cockle Creek, Kotara and Tascott.

Transport for NSW remains committed to delivering accessibility outcomes for its passengers and is finalising a strategy to inform the prioritisation and management of existing and emerging compliance requirements related to the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.