As a person with a disability, largely confined to a
wheelchair, my plan was to undertake a solo journey on the iconic Indian Pacific
Railway. A couple of virtually insoluble hurdles became apparent when on my
initial and subsequent phone enquiries to Great Southern Rail (GSR), the
owner/operator of the Indian Pacific, I was advised that they can provide a
wheelchair accessible cabin aboard the Indian Pacific train, and I can pay a
single supplement fare. However, I cannot travel solo!
I’m advised the corridors of the train carriages are narrow and
only accommodate the on-board pushchairs provided by GSR, which are unable to
be self-propelled. GSR’s Fitness to Travel Policy advises no motorised mobility
devices are allowed on-board. To be able to move around the train, to dine in
the dining room or to utilise the lounge car, I will need to use the on-board
pushchair and I will need assistance to push the on-board pushchair. However, GSR
has refused to assist, advising "our staff cannot act as
carers". I must therefore travel with
a companion to push the chair.
I further discovered that although I am required to travel
with a companion in order to push their on-board wheelchair, GSR do not
recognise or accept my NSW government issued Companion Card. The purpose of the companion card is to
assist businesses to comply with legislation and the principles of the Equal
Opportunity Act and the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination, usually allowing
a companion to be issued with a concession ticket or to travel at no
charge.
The critical implication is that my ‘mandatory’ travel
companion will not be entitled to travel at the same concessional fare to which
I am entitled, as a Disability Support Pension concession card holder, unless
they too are a concession card holder. Unfortunately I don’t know a concession
card holder who is physically able, or willing, to act as my 'carer'. GSR
advises my only option is to be accompanied by an able-bodied adult and I will
be required to pay my concessional fare and the full adult fare for my
companion.
I am quite independent. I live alone and manage with the
assistance of aids, equipment and with a little help from friends and family
members. The notion of being compelled to be totally reliant on someone in
order to access the toilet and bathroom, to move around the cabin or anywhere
else on the train, combined with being consigned to an unfamiliar and uncomfortable
on-board wheelchair, similar to an airline aisle chair, for the duration of my
three day journey is, to say the least, disturbing and distressing. These
issues could prove to be a very high price to pay for a journey on the epic
Indian Pacific train.
I’m not a lawyer. Nevertheless, I believe GSR’s position is
discriminatory. Their policies dictate that in order to travel on the Indian
Pacific train, I must be accompanied and pay an additional adult fare. Consequently,
I will be required to pay more than anyone else to travel; the equivalent of
243% of the fare any other concession card holder is required to pay. GSR’s
policies also deny the on-board use of an essential mobility aid, my travel
scooter. If unlawful discrimination occurs when someone is treated less favourably
than another person because of their disability, as specified under
anti-discrimination or human rights legislation, I think GSR’s policies may
satisfy this definition.
Undeterred by the considerable barriers imposed by GSR, I am
determined to explore every possibility in order to take the Indian Pacific
train journey. Therefore, I have decided to submit a complaint to the
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). The AHRC will act as a conciliator
in my attempt to persuade GSR to reconsider their policies.
I’ll let you know the outcome. I hope I don’t stumble and
fall at this first, very high, hurdle ……….
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