Accredited assistance dogs and their owners tested out the new Crows Nest Station on the Metro City line to make sure Australia’s only fully-accessible railway is up to scratch.
A group of 20 visitors from the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT team, including half who are blind or have low vision, and six guide dogs attended the outing to familiarise themselves with the new station which is located close to the Guide Dogs NSW head office.
The preview of the brand new station ahead of opening day allowed the group to understand the layout of the station, positioning of escalators and lifts as well as the location of facilities like customer help and emergency points at their own pace.
Sydney Metro will be fully accessible from day one. Each station is built with people in wheelchairs, parents with prams and people with accessibility requirements in mind.
The accessible features of Sydney Metro stations and trains include:
- Level and gap-free access between platforms and trains, meaning no more ‘step’ into a trains;
- Australian-first technology in platform screen doors at every station to keep people and objects safely away from the tracks;
- Digital screens and interactive kiosks at stations to inform passengers of when the next service is;
- Hearing loop services;
- Braille signage;
- Lifts at all stations;
- Audio and video help points;
- Tactile flooring;
- Accessible toilets;
- Kerb ramps and accessible kiss-and-ride drop-off/pick-up points;
- Indicator lighting and sounding chimes to let passengers know when platform screen doors are opening and closing;
Each metro train has two wheelchair spaces per carriage as well as dedicated priority seating for those with accessibility requirements. There are also two multi-purpose areas for prams, luggage and bicycles.
When Sydney Metro City opens, fast and reliable metro services will arrive every four minutes in the peak at new stations located at Crows Nest, Victoria Cross in North Sydney, Barangaroo, Martin Place, Gadigal in the Sydney CBD, Central, Waterloo and Sydenham.
Passengers will benefit from fully accessible transport hubs, featuring 54 new lifts and 126 escalators to keep people moving between station entrances on the surface and platforms below ground.
The new city stations will facilitate the seamless movement of up to 37,000 people in the morning peak, with more than 264,000 trips expected to be taken on the line between Tallawong and Sydenham on a typical weekday.
While animals are not permitted at metro stations or able to travel on metro trains, assistance animals with a valid form of accreditation are allowed on all public transport in NSW.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“What a treat it was to welcome our Guide Dog NSW/ACT neighbours to Crows Nest Metro Station to experience their new Metro Station ahead of opening day.
“31,400 people are expected to tap in and out of Crows Nest Metro station each day. From day one, Crows Nest and every station on the new Metro will be fully accessible for everyone jumping on board.
“Safety, reliability and accessibility are our three biggest priorities for Metro. From Australian-first technology in the platform screen doors to the no gap step onto trains, Metro is a service that everybody – and their assistance dog if they have one – can safely enjoy.
Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:
“The opening of the Sydney Metro will be a game changer for people with disabilities in NSW.
“Importantly, more people in our community will be able to use the Metro without having to ask for help.
“Because the Metro is accessible, travelling is safer and easier for every single passenger.
“It’s such a treat to see assistance dogs riding the Metro and having a paw-sitive experience.”
Jennifer Moon Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Principal Advisor/ Manager – Access & Stakeholder Engagement said:
“We are really supportive of Sydney Metro and the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring a more accessible transport system including the work at Crows Nest Station.
“Access to transport for the whole community is vital so we are really excited that Sydney Metro and NSW Government have made it a strong focus throughout this project so everyone can travel freely, seamlessly and independently.
“As well as removing hazards and implementing important accessibility features, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT has also been working closely with the Crows Nest frontline staff to train them on access rights and the support or assistance they can provide individuals who are travelling with accessibility requirements.
“It was such a pleasure to visit the new station with some of our clients prior to the opening, providing them with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the space and all their feedback so far has been fantastic. This project is a really positive step towards a truly accessible and inclusive transport system for those living with low vision and blindness.”