Human Rights Commission
Media Release
11 December 2007
Commission welcomes transport accessibility targets
The inclusion of accessibility targets in the New Zealand Transport Strategy discussion paper is a significant milestone
towards implementing fully accessible public transport, the Human Rights Commission said today.
Sustainable Transport, a discussion paper to update the New Zealand Transport Strategy includes targets to put into
effect the key objective of improved access and mobility.
Chief Commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan said today the target of 2025 for implementation of accessibility targets is one of
the most significant features of the revised Transport Strategy.
“This level of clear commitment to fully accessible public transport is a first for New Zealand. The improvements will
deliver enormous benefits to all New Zealanders and will make a real difference in particular to the lives of older and
disabled people.”
However, the Commission cautioned, with so many other legitimate transport issues being raised for discussion, such as
congestion and emissions, accessibility could too easily be overlooked.
“The revised Transport Strategy provides a real opportunity to ensure accessibility is a core component of all future
transport planning. It is vital that New Zealanders, through the consultation process, insist this happens.”
“Accessibility is critical to achieving all the objectives of the New Zealand Transport Strategy. The Commission
encourages disabled and older people and their organisations in particular to take this opportunity to ensure that
transport accessibility is guaranteed,” Ms Noonan said.
In 2005, the Commission published The Accessible Journey, the report of the Commission’s Inquiry into Accessible Public
Land Transport in New Zealand. The report highlighted the barriers that disabled people faced in trying to use public
transport and included recommendations on how to improve public transport accessibility. Key to those recommendations
was the development and implementation of National Accessibility Design Performance Standards.
“The Commission is pleased to see direct reference to The Accessible Journey and its recommendations in the revised
Transport Strategy. The commitment that the recommendations ‘will be implemented progressively by 2025’ is particularly
heartening,” Ms Noonan said.
ends.