Blind Foundation Submission: Auckland Transport Eastern Suburbs New Network, November 2015

Blind Foundation Submission: Auckland Transport Eastern Suburbs New Network, November 2015

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This is the Blind Foundation's submission on Auckland Transport Eastern Suburbs New Network and we welcome any opportunity to participate further.

The Blind Foundation is the main provider of rehabilitative, support and advocacy services for blind and low vision New Zealanders. The Blind Foundation has approximately 12,000 clients throughout the country.

Our Purpose

To enable people who are blind or have low vision to be self-reliant and live the life they choose.

Our Vision

Life without limits

Kahore e Mutunga ki te Ora

Four Key Priorities

1. Independent living

2. Access for all

3. Reach more people

4. Building a Foundation for the future

The Blind Foundation advises government, business and the community on inclusive standards to ensure that the people we represent can participate and contribute equally. We have four major contracts with government. We value our relationships with officials and Ministers. We seek to act as a trusted advisor and specialist on the blindness sector. We are a long serving and expert provider of services to the sector.

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Summary

The proposed new network for East Auckland shows a much improved system, with services in a much wider area connecting to a far bigger range of destinations, and making efficient connections to transport hubs. The network shows excellent use of train and ferry infrastructure to access a wider range of destinations faster and more conveniently. Panmure Interchange is the obvious place for connection to access most Auckland locations and the introduction of the bus-way into Panmure will be a major improvement for the East.

Very little coverage of the Eastern zone has been lost with the new network, whereas a wide range of destinations and areas have been made more accessible. All key destinations appear to have been covered with high the frequency services and the suburbs are well linked to the main routes and centres.

The new network is simpler, which is a critical change to support access for blind and low vision passengers. The Blind Foundation stresses that success of the changes is hugely dependent on the infrastructure supporting them, particularly simple physical connectivity between bus stops and or train stations and also effective signage and way-finding information.

The increased frequency of buses to a wider area is a major improvement, and further developments like the Lagoon Drive bus-way will significantly impact travel time making public transport a more desirable option. The AT HOP card and simplified zone fares are major pluses in simplifying the system.

Good connections and information

The concept of making connections is a very logical and critical solution to simplifying the public transport system. Making connections is generally not an issue for blind and low vision travellers; however this is highly dependent on the connection being accessible. The key requirements for accessible connections are:

• access to information—knowing when and where to transfer, knowing where to go to connect to next service, and knowing which bus/train to transfer onto, and importantly being able to identify the correct bus
• being able to get there safely—safe road crossings, safe pedestrian access ways; proximity—being able to make this transfer in a timely fashion

To achieve this, effective signage, logical way-finding, safe road crossings in close proximity to connections, and safe pedestrian access between stops and destinations are critical components.

Clear and accessible signage

Clear and accessible signage is critical for facilitating the transfer—way-finding signage, accessible bus stop and train station signage, and accessible bus number

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signage. One of the most difficult aspects of bus travel for blind and low vision travellers in general is being able identify the correct bus at the stop. This issue is most difficult in stops where a multitude of buses pull in. There are many potential solutions to this issue including audible announcements and bus driver training/requirements. The Blind Foundation would urge Auckland Transport to try to work through this significant issue which impacts on the ability for low vision and blind travellers to make use of buses. On board audio announcements are hugely beneficial to aid orientation for blind and low vision travellers, as has been successfully demonstrated on the Link Bus services. Where there is the need/opportunity to transfer there would be great benefit in audio announcements stating this, i.e. the next stop is Panmure Interchange, transfer here for 53 to Botany, as are currently announced on the trains. Such announcements have a major impact in supporting a blind/low vision traveller to navigate the public transport system.

Transfer hub design

Panmure interchange is an excellent hub designed for pedestrians to aid safe and efficient connection between services. Pakuranga and Botany interchanges will also be major hubs where transfers will take place, and a multitude of buses will pull in, effective signage and design will be critical. Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal will also be a major hub and it is hoped that the accessibility of this terminal will be examined and planned upgrades implemented in time with the new network for East. The Blind Foundation is available to make comment on all of these facilities.

Some people will need to walk further to access a bus stop, which may involve more road crossings and more complex walking routes. Safe crossing points and footpath surface are important factors to ensure a continuous accessible journey to reach public transport. It is recommended that particularly areas losing bus stops be considered in terms of accessibility to the nearest stop. It has been observed that developments underway at present, i.e. Flatbush, appear to be providing excellent infrastructure in terms of safe road crossing points and well-designed footpaths which promote safe access to bus stops.

Conclusion

The new network design for East Auckland provides a well organised and well spread service reaching all necessary areas. To ensure the success of the network for use by blind and low vision travellers, the accessibility of supporting infrastructure and information available needs to be in place.

The Blind Foundation are available for further comment on issues of accessibility, and look forward to commenting on the Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal. We strongly recommend that Auckland Transport consider the accessibility issues of bus travel for blind and low vision travellers.

End of Blind Foundation Submission: Auckland Transport Eastern Suburbs New Network, November 2015