Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Sydney Road tram stops

Tim READ (Brunswick) presented a petition bearing 283 signatures:

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Assembly that there are no accessible tram stops on Sydney Road between Brunswick Road and Bakers Road, Coburg North – a 5.5km stretch.

Once the Upfield train line is closed to remove the Brunswick level crossings and build Skyrail, there will be NO accessible public transport along the Upfield corridor for at least 18 months.

Under federal legislation, public transport in all states and territories was required to be fully accessible by the end of 2022. At the current rate of progress public transport in Victoria will not be fully accessible until at least 2066 – 44 years away!

As well as people with permanent disabilities, the elderly population, people with prams, and those with temporary mobility restrictions are impacted.

Construction of the Skyrail isn’t due until 2026/2027, so there is time to build accessible tram stops before construction begins.

We call on the Victorian government to install fully accessible tram stops on Sydney Road before the Upfield train line is closed for the level crossing removals in Brunswick.