Wheelchair users have no public transport options in Greymouth
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The West Coast's largest town no longer has public wheelchair transport.
The inequality for disabled people was highlighted at a hearing of the region's draft regional public transport plan.
The subsidised service for Greymouth ended early in 2023 when the operator withdrew citing lack of use.
West Coast Disability Steering Group chair Michael Nolan said the town's residential care homes provided their own mobility transport – but it was not a licenced public service.
A community shuttle run by St John carried out some hospital transfers, "but at a huge cost of hundreds of dollars".
That meant, "there's actually nothing" for people carrying out their daily business in Greymouth, Nolan said.
The Total Mobility concession scheme is also the only public transport provision for disabled people in the region.
It is administered by the West Coast Regional Council, although the Westland and Buller district councils also subsidise local taxi services in Hokitika and Westport.
On March 13, Disabled Persons Assembly regional policy adviser Chris Ford said they accepted the difficulty posed by the West Coast covering such a large, sparsely populated area
"It poses significant challenges to access public transport," Ford told the hearing.
Those with a disability already faced "significant barriers" given the limited transport options currently in the region.
And its largest urban area, Greymouth, had lost its subsidised mobility service after the operator withdrew citing compliance and lack of use issues, Ford said.
Wheelchair capable taxi services remained in Hokitika and Westport at this stage.
It was also "disappointing and frustrating" disabled transport users from the region were excluded from a national card scheme under the Total Mobility scheme, he said. This was supposed to enable users to access transport across the country.
Ford said the Disabled Persons Assembly believed the council, which is charged with administering the region's public transport, was only partially meeting its obligations under the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
The group wanted to see the council fully examine the need for more accessible public transport options "for everyone," Ford said.
Meanwhile, Nolan said the council's current chit books for Total Mobility users required a lot of explaining and planning to book mobility transport outside the region.
Nolan called for a more comprehensive approach to increase accessible transport in the region, which has been concentrated to the three main towns.
"This can hardly be improved if the initial service is not provided for and what can be quantified as 'lack of use'," he said.
Additionally, commercial transport providers in the region did not account for the disabled - with existing bus services to, from and within the region providing no disabled access, he said.
A consolidated effort was needed including making subsidies for private operators available to offer mobility transport, Nolan said.
He also called for the region's transport decision makers to invite disability advocates - including those "with lived experience of disabilities" - to the table to discuss solutions.
Regional council chief executive Darryl Lew said the issue of a national disability access card had been investigated for some time by central Government for years but nothing had landed yet.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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63.9% Yes
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33.6% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.