Work starts this month on a wide-scale upgrade of Canberra’s bus stops to meet the ACT Government’s obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act
December 9, 2010
Bus stops throughout the ACT will be upgraded over the Christmas-New Year period to conform to accessibility requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act.
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says 87 bus stops will be upgraded, with works commencing before Christmas.
“A program of works to improve bus stops throughout Canberra will see seniors and people with disabilities benefit from upgrades to existing transport infrastructure,” Stanhope says.
“The improvements will help the territory meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
Construction will commence to enlarge concrete waiting areas to cover a space of three metres by five metres where possible and improvements to connecting footpaths will assist wheelchair access in accordance with disability standards.
“Upgrades will see tactile ground surface indicators installed to assist the visually impaired,” Stanhope says.
“Adjustments to bus stop concrete waiting areas and connecting paths will also facilitate wheelchair access,”
Stanhope says improvements begin this month in Fraser, Florey, Flynn, Charnwood, Kambah, Bonython and Banks, with a progressive rollout in other Canberra suburbs over the coming months.
“Bus stop Improvements will complement the $49.5 million fleet replacement program which will see Action meet its interim 2012 DDA requirements,” he says.
Stanhope adds the upgrades will have minimal impact on everyday use of these bus stops.