The Sydney Road Accessible Tram Stops Now campaign marked one year of government inaction on June 22.
It was an anniversary no one wanted.
About 120 people rallied, but instead of celebrating Sydney Road being accessible to all, they marched past tram stops that are useless to people with mobility issues.
The campaign has been calling for accessible tram stops along Sydney Road before the Upfield train line is closed for the construction of Skyrail.
Once this starts, there will be no accessible public transport for at least 18 months along the Upfield corridor, a high-density population area.
There are no accessible tram stops between Brunswick Road and Bakers Road, Coburg North — a 5.5 kilometre stretch.
Brunswick resident Christian Astourian, who uses a wheelchair, initiated the campaign. He knows he will be left isolated if accessible tram stops are not built.
The campaign has tabled petitions in both houses of parliament and requested meetings with Labor MPs to discuss accessibility.
“We have been ignored by government for too long,” said Astourian.
“Premier Jacinta Allen, who has been the Minister for Public Transport and the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, knows the issues and responsibilities of government, but has refused to meet with us.
“They are ignoring legislation that requires them to build public transport that is full accessible to all.”
Anyone with mobility issues, including parents and carers with children and prams, commuters with bicycles and the elderly, will be affected.
The federal Disability Discrimination Act states that fully accessible public transport is lawful, and regulations came into effect in 2002. These stipulate that public transport in all states and territories must be fully accessible by the end of 2022.
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