People with disabilities stop trams

MELBOURNE — On September 13, a peaceful demonstration by people with disabilities stopped the city's trams for two hours. Eighty people who use wheelchairs and their allies, supporters and advocates were there. The blockade was organised by the Catch A Tram group.

One woman who uses a wheelchair managed to get on a tram for the first time in her life. She was laughing the whole time, even while three police officers carried her off the tram.

Tram travel was severely disrupted over lunch time, causing great inconvenience to other travellers. Most, however, were very supportive. Many said, "Good on you" despite being made to walk. They knew that while they couldn't catch a tram that day, those protesting could not get a tram any day.

Yarra Trams, one of privatised tram companies, issued a press release saying that it wants to make its fleet accessible to people with disabilities by 2006. Swanston Trams, when asked by the protesters about access, merely said the company would comply with "standards".

The people with disabilities protesting received support from thousands of S11 demonstrators who marched to the tram blockade in solidarity. Catch A Tram and S11 were united on the need for public transport access.

There was unanimous support among participants for another Catch A Tram action in one month's time. Planning has already begun.

Contact Mark Feigan on (03) 9416 3488 or email <arn@netlink.net.au>.

From GLW issue 422