Transport Policy Launch
05/03/2014
Good morning everybody, thanks for coming down today. You might remember this car park as the accessible park that was unfortunately blocked off when Splash Adelaide decided to park a VW Beetle and tree in it.
That lack of consideration is unacceptable, because reliable, accessible and affordable transport is absolutely vital if people with disabilities are to have the same work, study and social life opportunities as other South Australians. Dignity for Disability’s policy addresses three key areas where we know we can do better.
Under the d4d plan, anyone who parks in an accessible car park without a permit will attract demerit points on their licence, we see this as an appropriate penalty and one that will have an impact, because financial penalties alone are not enough.
Secondly, d4d want to see an overhaul of the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme (SATSS) – the system that allocates subsidised vouchers for access cabs.
There aren’t enough vouchers given out, the maximum subsidised amount is not indexed to increased fares, the condition under which the vouchers can be used are totally inflexible and access cab driver training is minimal. This makes the system totally unreliable and practically un-usable, and our plan addresses these issues.
Finally, d4d are demanding that all public transport is accessible by 2018. This is an important move for a state with an ageing population. No excuses, no exemptions, we want access all areas for all.
Thanks very much for your attention!
