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Auckland Transport — Room to Move in the City Centre: Improving kerbside spaces and off street parking areas survey

Posted in Regional; Tagged Parks and recreation, Accessibility, Transport; Posted 18 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Auckland Transport
Date: March 2025

 

Purpose

The primary purpose is to advocate for the creation of well-integrated, reliable, safe, and accessible shared spaces within Auckland's city centre, specifically addressing issues related to public transport access, taxi/rideshare drop-off points, mobility parking, and pedestrian safety in relation to micromobility devices and construction. DPA seeks to ensure that the needs of Auckland's significant and growing disabled and older population are fully considered in urban planning.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA’s primary priority for Auckland Transport is ensuring that shared spaces are well integrated, reliable, safe, and accessible. DPA highlights positive feedback regarding AT's engagement, including engagement with the Capital Projects Accessibility Group, providing accessible formats (NZSL, large print, audio files) for consultation, and AT's commitment to reviewing its Accessibility Action Plan.

However, DPA points out that disabled people often find it difficult and daunting in shared spaces like Queen Street, particularly when trying to catch buses. They highlight ongoing accessibility challenges with public transport, such as bus audio announcements being turned off, lack of visual signage for D/deaf people, and poor communication about service changes.

DPA notes the lack of safe places for disabled passengers to get in and out of private cars, taxis, and rideshare options, and difficulties unloading mobility equipment. They also report that mobility parking is frequently full in key areas, and there’s a lack of spaces for high-top vans. DPA recommends that taxi drivers transporting Total Mobility card holders be given an exemption for parking in bus lanes to assist disabled passengers safely.

DPA states that AT bus drivers need mandatory disability responsiveness training to appropriately support disabled customers, citing instances where drivers have driven past wheelchair users or not lowered ramps.

DPA also emphasises the importance of tackling illegal parking in mobility spaces by delivery drivers and other motorists, especially given the increased fines. DPA states that the safety of scooters and other micromobility devices should be the responsibility of the users, not passing pedestrians, and highlights that these devices often block footpaths, forcing disabled people onto roads. DPA recommends that all motorised vehicles are removed from footpaths, or riders walk and push them. DPA notes that the Auckland disability community is rarely considered in plans regarding construction, business signs, street furniture, and artwork installations, leading to safety risks. DPA advocates for priority to be given to high-risk pedestrian and railway crossings for the Auckland disability community.

 


Key Recommendation/Finding:

That AT bus drivers receive mandatory disability responsiveness education.

 


Supporting Statement 1:

Disabled people have reported negative experiences such as bus drivers driving past wheelchair users or not lowering ramps upon request, indicating a clear need for improved training.

 


Supporting Statement 2:

This training would ensure drivers are taught how to more appropriately support disabled customers, leading to safer and more equitable access to public transport for all users.

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DPA Submission 2503 Auckland Transport Improving kerbside spaces and offstreet parking areas survey.docx

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