Disability standards for accessible public transport

A full copy of the standards can be accessed on the website of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department.

The Accessible Public Transport Disability Standards are issued under the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). These standards prescribe certain sections of Australian Standard 1428.1 (Design for access and mobility. Part 1 General requirements for access - Buildings, second edition, 1993) for premises, infrastructure and conveyances. The most relevant aspects for wheelchair accessible taxis are as follows:

Ramps

6.2 Any boarding ramps are to comply with AS3856.1 Clause 2.1.8 (b), (c), (f) and (g).

6.3 The minimum allowable width of a ramp is 800mm.

6.4 The slope of external boarding ramps is not to exceed:

(a) 1 in 12 for unassisted access (AS3856.1 Clause 2.1.8(e));
(b) 1 in 8 for unassisted access where the ramp length is less than 1520 mm; and (AS 1428.2 Clause 8.4.2(a) and AS1428.1 Figure 8),
(c) 1 in 4 for assisted access (AS3856.1 Clause 2.1.8(e)).

Boarding

8.2 Manual or power assisted boarding devices are to be available at any accessible entrance to a conveyance that has:

(a) a vertical rise or gap exceeding 15 mm; AS3856.1, Hoists and ramps for people with disabilities - vehicle mounted, Clause 2.1.7(f); or
(b) a horizontal gap exceeding 40 mm; AS3856.1 Clause 2.1.8(g).

8.3 Where conveyances have manual or automatic boarding devices they are to be available for use at all designated stops. Any boarding device is to be deployed if a passenger requests its use.

8.5 Boarding devices are to:

(a) be a minimum of 800 mm wide (see 6.3 above); and
(b) have a slip-resistant surface.

8.6 A boarding device is to be able to support a total passenger and mobility aid weight of up to 200 kg. It is to be clearly labelled with the maximum load that it can carry both on the boarding device and next to the accessible entrance on the outside of the conveyance.

Allocated space

9.1 The minimum allocated space for a single wheelchair or similar mobility aid is 800 mm by 1300 mm (AS1428.2 Clause 6.1, Clear floor or ground space for a stationary wheelchair).

9.3 The minimum head room in the allocated space is to be at least 1410 mm.

9.9 Allocated space may be used for other purposes when not required for use by passengers in wheelchairs or similar mobility aids.
Grabrails

11.5 Any grabrails are to comply with AS1428.2 Clause 10.2, Grabrails.

11.6 There is to be a grabrail or handrail at fixed locations where passengers are required to pay fares.

Doorways and doors

12.5 Doorways are to have an unobstructed vertical height when opened of at least 1410 mm.

Signs

17.7 Raised taxi registration numbers are to be placed on the exterior of passenger doors forward of the handle.

Alarms

19.1 If installed, emergency warning systems are to comply with AS1428.2 Clauses 18.2.1, Emergency warning systems, 18.2.2, Audible alarms, and 18.2.3, Visual alarms.