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Perth bus stops on the move so disabled can have access

Kent AcottThe West Australian
VideoThe changes are part of program to ensure they provide access to disabled passengers

Perth bus stops are being removed or relocated as part of a program to ensure they are suitable for disabled passengers.

In a letter sent to an affected business owner — and obtained by The West Australian — a project officer with the Public Transport Authority’s bus stop accessibility works program confirmed that upgrades were under way to ensure bus stops complied with national and State disability requirements.

“The PTA will soon be upgrading bus stops in your area and as part of this process a rationalisation exercise has been completed,” the letter said. “This has resulted in some bus stops either being removed or relocated.”

A PTA spokeswoman said Transperth did not remove or change bus stop locations without good reason.

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“Bus stops are mostly removed or relocated because they are no longer in suitable locations due to changes to roads and streetscapes in the local area or alterations made to bus routes,” she said.

“Some bus stops have been in place for over 30 years, so reviews need to be made by Transperth as part of the program to ensure they are serving the local community as best as possible. Sometime this results in the removal or shifting of existing stops.”

Tthe PTA’s 2016-17 report says more than 84 per cent of Perth homes are within 500m of a bus stop or train station with a 20-minute or better service in peak hour.

The spokeswoman said nearly 700 bus stops were upgraded in 2016-17 to meet disability access requirements, with more than 4600 upgraded since the program started in 2010.

The upgrades generally involve building a level concrete passenger boarding area to a correct kerb height.

Transperth is inviting public feedback on a proposed new Route 353 between Ellenbrook and Bassendean station, travelling via Marshall Road, Altone Road and Lord Street. It has flagged changes to Routes 30, 34, 70, 101, 284 and 960 with the opening of the Curtin central bus station.

Details of the changes, the new Ellenbrook route and information

on the public feedback at transperth.wa.gov.au

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