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National Accessible Transport Taskforce update—August 2021

Following close of public consultation on the first stage of reforms to the Transport Standards, a Decision Regulation Impact Statement (Decision RIS) was drafted and provided to the National Accessible Transport Steering Committee (Steering Committee) in August 2021 for consideration.

The Decision RIS was drafted based on consultation findings and outlines the impacts of different options to address 16 areas of reform for the Transport Standards. These options will be presented for consideration by Transport Ministers in November 2021.

Work on Stage 2 has also been underway with the National Accessible Transport Taskforce (the Taskforce) meeting in May, July and August 2021 to consider issues for inclusion in the second stage of reforms. The following initial broad areas for reform have been identified:

  1. Reporting compliance and accessibility
  2. Scope of conveyances
  3. Implementation of requirements
  4. Accessible boarding points
  5. Signs, symbols, braille and raised lettering
  6. ICT and Fare Systems
  7. Waiting areas and appropriate seating
  8. Lifts
  9. Safety on-board conveyances
  10. Infrastructure access paths
  11. Conveyance access paths
  12. Toilets
  13. Taxi ranks, loading zones and parking spaces
  14. Information formats and timely provision
  15. Boarding devices
  16. Communication and location during journey
  17. Lighting

The Taskforce and the Steering Committee will continue to meet throughout August and September to develop a range of policy options related to these reform areas.