To take part in social, economic and cultural life, people need to be able to travel around the community. Many autistic people choose not to or are not able to operate a vehicle and rely on public transport and commercial passenger vehicles. However, autistic people often have negative experiences of using the public transport system. These negative experiences can result from intense sensory environments, changes in routine arising from repairs or emergencies, and encounters with public transport staff who have limited understanding of their preferences and behaviours.
Public transport services often make spaces available for people with disability. However, many autistic people are reluctant to use these spaces in case they are perceived as misusing a space or service intended for a person with visible disability.
A key resource that can support future work to improve autistic people's experience of public transport is the new Autism workforce capability framework (see below). Public transport policy areas have helped to develop the framework, which will support longer term training and professional development for a range of workforces.
Public Transport Victoria is committed to improving the accessibility of the public transport network for all Victorians, including those with autism.
1.3. Increase safety and wellbeing for autistic people using public transport
- Improve disability inclusion by encouraging public transport operators to:
- take part in Try Before You Ride events so community members can practise using different types of accessible transport such as stationary trains, trams and buses
- prepare an accessibility action plan showing how they will make Victoria's public transport easier to use, with a focus on meeting the needs of people with invisible disability
- be accredited with the Communication Access Symbol
- Victorian Public Transport operators will continue to deliver education and training to build awareness of the needs of autistic people such as:
- operator disability awareness training
- authorised officer special circumstances training
- displaying the Communication Access Symbol, which denotes training and communication
- materials for staff to assist customers with communication difficulties, including autistic people
- Continue to use the Public Transport Access Committee, which advises the Minister for Public Transport and Public Transport Victoria on providing public transport that is inclusive and accessible for all Victorians, to raise the needs of autistic people
Updated