The Andrews Labor Government has unveiled life size mock-ups of Melbourne’s next generation High Capacity Metro Trains, which are being built in Victoria by Victorians.
Building the life size mock-up is essential to ensuring the new train design meets the needs of all passengers.
Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan was today joined by Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Karen Hayes to trial the trains’ accessibility features.
The 65 new High Capacity Metro Trains will be smoother, quieter, more comfortable and accessible for all passengers. Passengers, accessibility and transport user groups have already provided feedback on features such as the doors, seats, lighting, electronic signage, straps, and handrails.
Guide Dogs Victoria have advocated for additional flip-down seats which will be included in the final design, and Guide Dogs will be trained to sit underneath their owner’s seats.
Vision Australia, Spina Bifida Foundation Victoria, Scope, VicDeaf and the Public Transport Access Committee will also be involved in evaluation sessions over the coming month.
Feedback so far has led to changes to the colour of handrails, additional hand holds and more signage on the outside of the new trains – all important features for Victorians with accessibility needs.
More than 600,000 Australians currently use mobility aids and the design of the High Capacity Metro Trains has factored in their need for more space for mobility devices, including scooters and wheelchairs.
Melbourne’s 65 new High Capacity Metro Trains will be built here in Victoria, resulting in more than 1,100 highly skilled local jobs.
The bigger, better trains will begin taking passengers in 2019 on the busy Cranbourne and Pakenham lines and will eventually run through the new Metro Tunnel to Sunbury.
The trains will be almost 160 metres long with seven continuous carriages and the ability to carry 20 per cent more passengers than existing trains.
Quote attributable to the Acting Premier and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Advocacy groups are continuing to help refine the design of Melbourne’s new bigger, better trains to give all passengers smoother and more comfortable journeys.“
“We’re building these trains right here in Victoria and equipping them with the latest technology to build a turn up and go system.”
Quote attributable to Chief Executive Officer Guide Dogs Victoria Karen Hayes
“We’re working collaboratively to improve the lives of the people we support. We have been impressed with the level of consultation and genuine commitment to accessibility in the train design engagement program for Melbourne's new trains.”
“Public transport is critical in supporting members of our community with low vision or blindness to get to where they need to go independently, so we’re very excited to see how the new trains will positively affect our clients.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020