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Policy On Carriage Of Wheelchairs, Prams & Strollers
State Transit recognises the diverse needs of the travelling public, as well as its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, by continually improving its capacity to carry essential mobility aids (such as wheelchairs), as well as infant transporters such as prams and strollers.
State Transit does not refuse carriage on the grounds of disability.
At the same time, we need to have regard to:
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the comfort and convenience of all members of the travelling public, and
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the safety of everyone travelling on our buses.
Because of this, there are some simple rules for mobility aids, prams and strollers.
Aids and devices permitted to be carried on buses
Rules for wheelchairs
Rules for prams and strollers
Obligations of the Bus Operator
Obligations of passengers
Electric scooters and similar vehicles are small vehicles and are often used as an alternative to public transport. They are not considered to be essential mobility aids, and are in most cases too heavy and unstable to be carried with safety. State Transit will only carry scooters with an unladen weight of less than 200 kg, and which can be driven onto the bus, and manoeuvred to fit wholly within the designated wheelchair space under their own power. Any such scooters carried must also comply where relevant with the rules applying to wheelchairs.
Three-wheeled mobility aids of any kind are unstable in normal bus operations and will not be carried because of the safety risk.
Wheelchairs are essential mobility aids, and are welcomed on board low-floor, wheelchair-accessible buses, subject to some simple safety rules.
Wheelchair users who are able to fold their chairs, and to enter and leave the bus, with or without the aid of a carer will be carried on any of our buses. Bus Operators have the discretion to provide assistance but (other than lowering the bus or extending wheelchair ramp) are not required to help passengers to enter or leave buses.
Occupied prams and strollers which can be wheeled without difficulty between the front wheel arches of a low floor bus are also welcome on board, again subject to these rules. Once again though, State Transit cannot accept liability for injury to a child or any other passenger where these rules have not been followed.
1. Occupied wheelchairs will only be carried on low-floor buses with designated wheelchair spaces. All such buses carry the international accessible transport logo near the bus entry point.
2. If a wheelchair user is able to leave the chair and board and leave the bus unaided (or with the help of a friend or carer), travel is permitted on buses which have stepped entry, provided that the wheelchair is folded and stowed so as to avoid impeding, or causing undue inconvenience to, passengers entering and leaving the bus.
3. An occupied wheelchair must be placed in the designated space in the bus, must be facing rearwards, brakes on and firmly in contact with the panel or bar behind it. It must not be placed in the aisle or in any other location which interferes with the entry or exit of passengers.
4. If there is a device in the bus for securing occupied wheelchairs, Bus Operators should recommend that this be used.
5. If a wheelchair user is travelling with a friend or carer, that person should keep a firm hold on the chair.
6. If passengers are already seated in the folding seats in the designated wheelchair space Bus Operators may ask those passengers to move (if other room is available) when a wheelchair user wishes to board a bus. If other passengers decline to vacate the wheelchair space, the driver may elect not to continue the trip until the space is cleared. If this (clearing the space) would create a safety risk (e.g. where a passenger already on board has a mobility problem and has to stand), the Bus Operator may decide not to allow the wheelchair user to board the bus. (Beyond this action, the Bus Operator cannot compel other passengers to give up their seats for such a person).
1. Prams and strollers must not be placed in the aisle or in any other location which interferes with the entry or exit of passengers.
2. Occupied prams and strollers may only be carried on low-floor buses when placed in designated wheelchair spaces. On all buses which do not have designated wheelchair spaces, prams and strollers must be folded and placed in the luggage rack (if fitted), and the occupant safely carried on a seat or on its carer’s lap.
3. Bus Operators must lower the bus on request, but need not extend the wheelchair ramp for the entry or exit of occupied prams or strollers. These ramps are for occupied wheelchairs only.
4. Occupied prams or strollers placed in designated wheelchair spaces must have the brake applied, and be placed facing the rear of the bus. They must be in firm contact with the panel or bar behind them.
5. If there is a device in the bus, such as a strap, able to be used to help secure occupied prams or strollers, this must be used and the carer must keep a firm hold of the pram or stroller at all times. (Where a strap is provided, for maximum stability, the strap should be passed around the frame as high and as far to the back of the pram as possible.)
6. Occupied prams and strollers must not be carried with shopping bags, luggage or any similar item hanging from the handles; this can make them fall over. Items of this kind must be removed and either stowed in the luggage rack or held by a passenger.
7. If a designated wheelchair space occupied by a pram or stroller is required for an occupied wheelchair, the wheelchair user has priority. The pram or stroller must be folded and its occupant safely carried on a seat or on its carer’s lap. If a passenger wishes to place a pram or stroller in the designated wheelchair space, and other passengers are already seated in the folding seats in that space, the passenger can ask them to move, but if they do not want to, the passenger must fold the pram or stroller and carry the occupant safely.
The Bus Operator’s principal task is to ensure that all passengers are taken safely and comfortably to their destinations and that the bus is at all times secure. That requires the Bus Operator to apply these rules, and also to take into account the needs of people who have limited mobility (whether or not they are using an aid), who are frail or have some physical disability, and those who are using prams and strollers. The Bus Operator can therefore expect (and may ask) that passengers comply with these rules if they are travelling with a mobility aid, pram or stroller.
Bus Operators may also ask that passengers not place prams, strollers or wheelchairs (or other items) in such a way as to obstruct the aisle or to interfere with the entry or exit of passengers.
Because these rules are for the safety and comfort of all passengers, the Bus Operator may ask a passenger who is not prepared to abide by the rules to leave the bus (or may not allow such a passenger to enter the bus). If a passenger who is not complying with these rules refuses such a request, the Bus Operator may decide, in the interests of safety, not to proceed with the journey, and/or to seek assistance via the bus’ two-way radio.
For safety and security of the bus, Bus Operators should generally not leave the driving seat. Except for extending the wheelchair ramp, Bus Operators are not expected to leave the driving seat to assist a passenger to enter or leave the bus, but they have the discretion to do so where they believe that this is safe and reasonable, and where the bus is properly secured.
State Transit is committed to providing safe, comfortable and reliable transport for passengers, but being a passenger also carries some obligations.
All buses have maximum loading levels (the greatest number of passengers which can be safely carried), and this applies to intending passengers with mobility aids. Bus Operators with a fully loaded bus are not expected to pick up a passenger just because he or she is using an aid of this kind.
Passengers must abide by the rules set out above.
Passengers who do not follow these rules, may be advised that State Transit cannot accept any liability for any injury or damage which occurs as a result to the passenger, any other passenger, or a Bus Operator.
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