This information package is designed to introduce groups and individuals to Metro’s new accessible services. If there is additional information you require please contact the Metro Hotline on 13 2201.
Metro is making a significant investment to progressively replace its bus fleet with new wheelchair accessible vehicles. Introduction of the new buses began in Hobart in 2001, and will subsequently be introduced into Launceston and Burnie.
The new accessible buses are equipped with ultra low floors and ramped entry to provide “step free” access to the front half of the vehicle. This will improve the accessibility of our services to existing customers, as well as making our services accessible to many new customers who, until now, have not been able to use Metro services. People with disabilities, parents with children in prams, and our senior customers will all benefit from the new buses.
It will take some time for everyone (customers and Metro staff) to get used to using the new accessible buses. Please read the information in this leaflet so that we can better provide you with: “Safe, reliable, easily accessible bus services, which run on time and are provided by helpful, friendly staff”.
Metro has created a special timetable of services that will operate with accessible vehicles. This will enable users with mobility difficulties to plan their travel. As we get more accessible vehicles we will extend the “accessible services timetable” until eventually all services will use accessible buses.
This timetable provides a range of services on the following routes:
Timetables showing just the wheelchair accessible services are available.
In addition, accessible services are marked on Metro’s general timetables using the international wheelchair access symbol.
You can obtain information about our accessible services by phoning our Hotline 13 2201, or visiting the Metro shop in the Hobart GPO.
Please ring us if you would like Metro to send you a large print timetable for any of our services.
A TTY service is also available during office hours by contacting Metro on 6233 4241.
Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that an accessible bus is operating on the Accessible Service Timetable, it may not always be possible to do this. There may be occasions when accessible buses are not available. If you want to confirm that an accessible bus is operating a particular service you can ring Metro on freecall 1800 654 184 about an hour or so before you intend to travel.
If you are new to Metro bus services, and our new accessible services, we would be more than happy for you to visit us at our Springfield depot in Moonah. We can show you the features of the new buses and answer any questions you may have. HOWEVER you will need to telephone us first, so that you can make a convenient appointment with one of our staff to show you around.
Metro can also make arrangements to visit groups to demonstrate our new accessible vehicles and demonstrate features of the vehicles and our ticketing system.
To make an appointment ring our Customer Liaison Officer on 6233 4234.
Features of the new accessible buses
Metro’s new accessible buses have lots of great features including:
Ramped Level Entry and Wide Doors – the new buses are fitted with flip-out ramps that will be deployed by the bus operator.
Designated Accessible Seating – there are two designated areas for priority use by wheelchair passengers located at the front of the bus. Flip down seats are also located in these spaces for use by other passengers when there are no wheelchair passengers on board.
Size of Mobility Aids and Wheelchairs – the new buses are designed in accordance with the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
The new buses are much easier for everyone to board. We expect that most passengers will be able to use the new accessible buses with minimal or no assistance.
Metro bus operators will be happy to provide persons in wheelchairs or with mobility aids with a similar level of assistance to that provided to passengers generally. Metro wants to make your journey a successful and enjoyable experience.
However, if you do need additional assistance, please travel with your carer or support person - just as you would in other situations.
PLEASE DO NOT expect Metro bus operators to lift heavy wheelchairs or mobility aids.
The new accessible buses are marked with the international symbol for access located on the front of the bus and also on the side of the bus, near the entrance.
Please make sure that you are waiting at a Metro designated bus stop, stops with normal height curbs are best. Bus stops are marked with a Metro bus stop sign. When you see or hear your bus approaching, please signal to let the bus operator know that you are waiting.
If you think you will need some assistance to board the bus, it would be a good idea to phone Metro (freecall) on 1800 654 184 about an hour before you plan to catch the bus to let us know you’ll be waiting for a bus and tell our staff which stop you will be waiting at.
The bus will stop as close to the kerb as possible and the operator will lower (or “kneel”) the bus. The bus should be almost level to the kerb. This makes it easy for most people to board.
The new buses are also fitted with flip-out ramps at the front entry of the bus. The ramp CAN be deployed to provide access for wheelchair users, prams, or others who may need it.
IF YOU REQURE THE RAMP PLEASE ASK THE BUS OPERATOR TO DEPLOY THE RAMP.
DO NOT try to lift or deploy the ramp yourself.
Bus operators will be on the lookout for passengers who might require the ramp, but we are also depending on our customers to let us know if they need the ramp. It is not practical for the operator to be continuously deploying the ramp at every stop, but the ramp will be deployed on request.
Once the bus operator has deployed the ramp, it should be easy for you to board the bus. If for some reason you need help, PLEASE ASK the bus operator. Give them some guidance about how they can best assist you.
All passengers are required to have a valid ticket.
Pamphlets are available from Metro outlining Metro’s ticketing system and provide details of the ticket types and fares that are available.
The Metro network is divided up into sections. Fares for adult passengers increase with the number of sections travelled. For Concession, Student and Child passengers there is a single flat fare, which does not vary with distance.
Single trip and day tickets can be purchased from the bus operator. Alternatively, for regular travellers, ten-ride tickets or student monthly tickets may be pre-purchased from Metro agents, the Metro Shop located in the Hobart G.P.O. or from the Metro office at the Springfield depot in Moonah. A list of ticket agents is shown on the Metro fares leaflet. There are agents in most suburbs.
Tickets must be validated in the ticket machine located on the bus just inside the front entry door. If you need assistance to use the machine PLEASE ASK THE BUS OPERATOR.
There are two spaces for wheelchair passengers on the bus. If these spaces are both occupied by wheelchair passengers then additional wheelchair passengers, or passengers with other mobility aids, will not be permitted to board the bus unless the passenger is able to use a regular seat and their wheelchair or mobility aid can be folded and safely stowed.
People in wheelchairs have first priority to use the designated accessible spaces, and signs are provided in buses to make this clear.
For the safety of all passengers, persons in wheelchairs should use these designated spaces. The folding seats should be folded up. The wheelchair should be placed so that it faces the rear of the bus with the back of the chair against the wheel-arch. The wheelchair’s brakes must be applied.
These basic guidelines also apply to children in prams – face to the rear and apply brakes. Parents or carers must remain with the child in the pram.
If you are not in a wheelchair, you can seat yourself as appropriate for your personal circumstances but like everyone else you must be able to make space for a person in a wheelchair if they board after you. People with guide dogs or walking frames, or parents with children in prams are encouraged to use the seats in the accessible spaces because of the extra room available. Prams or other mobility aids NOT IN USE are to be stored safely, just like other luggage. Please do not leave them in the aisles. Storage racks are provided at the front of the bus. If you need help with storage ASK the bus operator.
Passengers in wheelchairs have first priority to use the designated accessible spaces, then a person with a guide dog, then a child in a pram, then senior passengers, and then other passengers. Other passengers are required to vacate the designated accessible space if a passenger in a wheelchair boards the bus. If another passenger is not vacating the accessible space and you need it, politely draw their attention to the signage on the bus if necessary. If necessary advise the bus operator.
Passengers in wheelchairs or with mobility aids should disembark via the front door to the bus, adjacent to the bus operator.
The bus operator will deploy the flip-out ramp if required.
If you are not sure about where your bus stop is and if you would like the bus operator to let you know when your bus stop is coming up, PLEASE ASK THE BUS OPERATOR. Make sure you tell the operator as you are getting on the bus, that you need them to let you know when your stop is coming up.
There are buttons located around the bus that you can push to signal to the operator that you want to disembark at the next stop. Try to give the bus operator plenty of notice.
Again, if you want the ramp deployed to enable you to disembark. ASK THE OPERATOR TO DEPLOY THE RAMP.
Plan your travel to avoid busy times
Metro services are usually very busy between 8 am and 9.00 am each weekday, and also between 3 pm and 6 pm. If you do not need to travel at these times then there will be greater passenger comfort and less hassles if you able to plan your travel to avoid these busy times.
There is also a greater likelihood that the wheelchair spaces will be unoccupied outside of the peak times.
If you have concern that a particular service is likely to be full contact Metro and we can provide you with feedback about that particular service.
If you need any further information, OR WANT TO GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK please contact us on our Hotline 13 2201.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS WITH METRO
