A guide to accessible public transport across Australia
This guide to accessible public transport in Australia will list cities across the nation, along with the transport systems on offer and the features included for passengers with disabilities.
Key points:
- Every state offers different modes of public transport, each with its own accessibility features.
- It’s important to check ahead of time to see if your planned route offers some features (such as ramps or wheelchair access) ahead of time.
- Despite the differences across states, tactile tiles, handrails, low-floors and ramps are generally offered.
- It can help to call or contact service providers to arrange assistance or ask about alternative options.
Whether you’re booking flights, arranging a place to stay, planning the route of your road-trip or simply learning more about your destination — travel can be hard.
For those living with disabilities, driving isn’t always an option and it can be difficult to get from one place to another relying solely on public transport.
Understanding public transport in a new city can be quite confusing, while trying to learn if it is accessible enough to accommodate one’s needs.
This guide to accessible public transport in Australia will list cities across the nation, along with the transport systems on offer and the features included for passengers with disabilities.
Adelaide, South Australia
Adelaide Metro is the primary system for public transport in metropolitan South Australia, with an integrated fleet of buses, trams and trains to board throughout the city.
Adelaide Metro drivers are not allowed to physically assist passengers onboard or lift their mobility devices, however, it is advised that passengers without the ability to do so be accompanied by a companion. Companion cards will enable an assisting passenger to commute for free alongside the person.
All Adelaide Metro transport is equipped with a ramp, which the driver will assemble upon request for safe boarding. While waiting for a train or tram, passengers requiring a ramp should wait at the designated blue-and-white ‘mobility assistance’ platform to request assistance.
For those with mobility devices, it is advised that wheels should face towards the ramp for ease of access.
Upon arrival at a passenger’s destination, the ‘next stop’ and ‘ramp request’ buttons should be pressed to signal intent to exit to the driver. For visually impaired passengers, Adelaide Metro recommends informing the driver of your stop upon boarding.
Visually impaired passengers, along with passengers living with a disability which may not be visible, can obtain a reflective ticket wallet which can serve to signal their intent to catch the bus while waiting at their stop.
Priority seating is available for passengers on board Adelaide Metro, along with spaces for those in wheelchairs and with mobility devices which may require space.
Assistance animals are entitled to free public transport, so long as they meet hygiene and behavioural standards and the accompanying passenger can show valid identification in addition to their metrocard.
For more information, please visit the Adelaide Metro access and disability guide.
To contact Adelaide Metro for details or enquiries, please call 1300 311 108.
Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne’s low-floor trams were introduced in 2001, offering easier access for passengers with mobility troubles. All new trams purchased for the city have been built with accessibility in mind, with the Melbourne bus network adopting the low-floor model as well.
The bus network offers wheelchair ramps and priority seating for ease of access, with tactile stops for the visually impaired throughout the city.
Melbourne’s High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT) were rolled out on the Pakenham line in December 2020, featuring multi-use spaces in the middle three carriages, fitted with velcro straps under the seats, to cater for prams, wheelchairs and bicycles.
The HCMT fleet has hearing aid loops throughout the train for passengers with hearing devices, along with blue ‘help’ buttons, which signal a passenger needs assistance for accessibility as opposed to the red ‘emergency’ button.
Passengers with mobility difficulties waiting for the HCMT requiring help from a driver should wait at the first door of the carriage — marked at each platform — for the driver to assist them in boarding via a ramp.
Melbourne hosts annual Try Before You Ride events designed to showcase and help differently abled passengers become familiar with public transport and learn how they can travel themselves.
For more information about accessibility in Melbourne, please visit the Public Transport Victoria website online or call 1800 800 007.
Perth, Western Australia
Perth’s train system is operated by Transperth, which much like Melbourne, generally offers low-floors for mobility and wheelchair access.
As with most public transport accessibility across Australia’s major cities, there’s space on board for wheelchair users along with audio and visual communication to inform passengers of information, including stops throughout the ride.
Transperth Assist allows passengers to navigate the train network with the guidance and support of a trained staff member. Through booking in advance, the Assist option can help people with disabilities get around in Perth, along with offering support whilst boarding (getting on) and alighting (getting off) each journey.
The Transperth Bus Assistance service helps commuters across their bus rides and much like the train network, it is accessible seven days a week and can be booked in advance or prior to same-day commutes.
Perth’s famous ferry service is also equipped with the features and services of Transperth, including accessibility maps, audio and visual cues and a personal Ferry Assistance support centre, to arrange smooth travels prior to leaving the house.
For more information about Transperth and its services, please visit the Transperth website.
To call Transperth, please phone 13 62 13.
Brisbane, Queensland
The city of Brisbane’s public transport system, Translink, offers complete wheelchair accessibility with low-floors, ramps and spaces reserved for wheelchair users, in addition to priority seating for those who may need it.
The Companion Card Program also allows those living with a disability to receive free travel for a family member, friend or caretaker to assist them on their journey on a train or bus.
Citycats and ferries run through Translink, and much like Perth, are wheelchair accessible, with ramps and designated seating (as is standard for metropolitan public transportation in Australian cities).
To contact the call centre for Translink disability assistance, please call 13 12 30 or visit the Translink accessibility portal.
Sydney, New South Wales
Public transport in Sydney is run by Transport for NSW (TfNSW), operating bus, train, ferry and metro line systems. TfNSW buses and trains are equipped with low-floors, wheelchair ramps and priority seating for people with disabilities or the elderly, tactile (bumpy) tiles and handrails for people with visual impairments and audio/visual cues for those with auditory conditions.
TfNSW offers an assistance service for boarding and departing passengers, if needed, you can plan your journey ahead of time with over-the-phone assistance and organise in-person help by calling 131 500.
If you’re unsure what on-demand options are available for assistance or accessibility, the Stations, Stops and Wharves Finder available through the TfNSW website will allow you to find out ahead of time.
For more information about specific public transport locations, visit the Stations, Stops and Wharves Finder or for assistance with your Opal card call 13 67 25.
Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart does not offer a train service as a part of its public transportation. The buses and ferries are operated by Metro Tasmania (bus network) and Navigators Tasmania (ferries).
Metro Tasmania buses are low-floor and have ramps for those with mobility difficulties, along with priority seating areas for people living with disabilities, pregnancy or the older passengers.
Navigators Tasmania connects Hobart city to the suburban area through carrying passengers across the River Derwent, making it easier for people to get out and about through offering similar services to buses (ramps and priority seating), along with tactile tiles and handrails.
It is important to know that while Metro Tasmania and Navigators Tasmania try to make transport easy, not all routes are wheelchair accessible. Metro timetables feature a wheelchair icon to let passengers know that they are equipped to support people with mobility difficulties.
To contact an accessibility specialist for Metro Tasmania, please call 13 22 01 within the hours of 7am – 6pm from Monday to Friday or the after-hours service at 6233 4225. Visit the Metro Tasmania website to plan your journey in advance.
For more information about the Derwent Ferries accessibility services, please phone 6240 1893 or visit the Derwent Ferries website.
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Canberra’s public transport system is managed by Transport Canberra, which offers a light rail network and bus system, but does not offer ferries or a train network.
Transport Canberra buses are low-floor and have ramps which can assist with mobility for getting on and getting off throughout your route. Additionally, the buses have priority seating for people living with disabilities, pregnant women and older passengers.
Transport Canberra buses are also low-floor and offer wheelchair spaces, priority seating and audio announcements are delivered by the carriage speakers, whereas visual announcements are also delivered through screens. Tactile tiles are a staple of light rail stops, along with handrails and designated waiting areas.
Similarly to Hobart, Transport Canberra is not equipped to accommodate all mobility aids. It is important to check which routes are wheelchair accessible and that your mobility aid will be able to board, as restrictions on size and weight may apply.
Planning your route ahead of time through the NXTBus website will allow you to find out whether the buses along your route are wheelchair accessible. An orange disability icon of a figure in a wheelchair will indicate that the bus is equipped to support passengers with mobility difficulties.
To visit the NXTBus website, find out the specifications of wheelchair proportions or require over-the-phone assistance by calling 13 17 10, please make use of the resources available in this article.
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwinbus operates the Darwin bus system and Darwin Harbour Cruises offer a ferry service for those requiring public transport in the Northern Territory city. There are no public train or metro lines in Darwin.
Both buses and ferries in Darwin are designed to have low-floors and ramps for ease of access for those requiring mobility assistance, with wharves offering tactile tiles, handrails and easy-to-use ticketing machines.
Darwinbus fleets offer slide-proof flooring in priority designated seating, in order to prevent accidents and assist passengers with accessing their seats.
For more information about Darwinbus accessibility, please call 8924 7666 between 6:45am – 4:30pm from Monday to Friday or Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. To view availability, please visit the Northern Territory Government website or contact Darwin Harbour Cruises at 8942 3131.
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