I believe that the request for an
exemption under the DDA by ORTA is
unreasonable. Planning for the Olympics commenced before
the bid was even
accepted. To fail in providing accessible transport is
merely a product of
disinterest on the part of the
various authorities concerned.
Olympic events will also be held
in Brisbane. The Gabba will host the
soccer (this is sacriligeous but
regrettably money speaks). By ORTA's
logic
Brisbane should recieve rather
than donate buses.
Rather than randomly assigning low
floor buses to any route, creating a
situation in which they are
virtually useless, Brisbane City Council
designates routes on which all
buses are accessible. We currently have
3
commuter routes and 3 shopper routes
that are fully accessible, with more to
follow as new buses are purchased
next financial year. This gives
certainty
of service and creates an
environment in which journeys can be planned or
taken spontaneously. Should the people of Brisbane lose their
accessible
buses on the designated routes due
to lack of commitment to accessible
public transport in New South
Wales? As I stated earlier this is
unreasonable.
Getting to this point has been a
long hard struggle. To be slapped in
the
face by ORTA, desperately trying
to cover its own ineptitude, is an
insult
of the greatest magnitude. Rather than plunder the nation of its
accessible
buses, ORTA should think about
very quickly ordering some in. Of
course at
this late stage that will most
likely be impossible. What a shame they
left
the request for an exemption so
late in the day. Poor planning again?
Air do shlainte
John