Accessibility was at the forefront of design for the 5 new Metro Tunnel stations, which will be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
Accessibility features at the stations include:
- escalators and lifts
- customer service counters
- customer help points
- wide platforms
- Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs)
- braille and tactile signage
- audible announcements
- accessible toilets, ambulant cubicles and Changing Places
- hearing loops.
Read on for more information about these features.
Travel
Accessible boarding
Passengers with reduced mobility will be encouraged to board the train at the doors closest to the driver, with signs on the platform floor and platform screen doors directing passengers to these boarding points.
Hearing loops
Hearing loops will help hearing aid users listen to announcements.
High Capacity Metro Trains
High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMTs) will run on the Sunbury and Cranbourne/ Pakenham lines and through the Metro Tunnel when it opens in 2025.
Features:
- more reserved space for wheelchairs, mobility aids, prams and bikes
- hearing loop aids for passengers who wear hearing assist devices
- blue assistance buttons next to wheelchair spaces and accessible seats to contact the driver for assistance in a non-emergency.
Platforms
Platforms at each of the 5 new stations will be directly accessible via lifts and escalators. Platforms widths will be generous for easy use of mobility aids.
Step-free access
All public areas will have step-free access with escalators and lifts making it easy for passengers of all abilities and with mobility aids or prams to get to the station concourse and platforms.
Tactile Ground Surface Indicators
Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSIs) will be installed on floors to guide people who have a vision impairment to customer help points, customer service counters and station entrances.
Warning TGSIs will notify passengers of upcoming stairways, ramps, escalators, lifts, gatelines, railway and tram platforms, bus stops and pedestrian crossings.
Wayfinding
Clear signage, tactile signage, audible announcements and hearing loops will make it easy to get around the stations to create a stress-free journey for all users.
Facilities and assistance
Changing Places and toilets
Unisex accessible toilets will be available at concourse level. Ambulant toilets with extra space and handrails will be located at men’s and women’s toilets.
There will be Changing Places at all stations – both inside and outside the Myki ticketing gates.
Customer Help Point
At Customer Help Points located at each platform, pressing a red button will put you in immediate contact with a customer service officer. Pressing the green button will provide real-time timetable information.
Customer Service Points
Customer Service Points will allow passengers to purchase tickets, find out about the next available train and get information on the surrounding area. They will be located both inside and outside the Myki ticketing gates.
Safety
Evacuation strategy
The needs of people with disability are included in our comprehensive evacuation strategy for all stations, including fire isolated areas at both ends of each platform and fire-rated lifts and stairs.
Platform screen doors
For the first time in Victoria, platform screen doors will be installed at all Metro Tunnel stations, increasing passenger safety and security.
Find out more about platform screen doors.