Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand

Rail trips not for Sleepers

An increasing number of our members have discovered the railway as an inexpensive and exciting way to travel around Auckland.

“All trains have two wheelchair accessible carriages at each end, “said an Auckland Regional spokeperson “We prefer that wheelchair passengers use the trains at off peak hours, but we do realise we need to be flexible to accommodate disabled people catching the train to work.”

Kaylene Dobson is regularly seen at her local railway station.

I feel that I can go places now that I couldn’t go before and it’s so cheap, said Kaylene.

She has found the guards very helpful fetching the ramps to the carriages.
“Well one guy was a bit grouchy. He was obviously having a bad day” she giggled.

But one less than perfect experience didn’t deter Kaylene.

"Kaylene in daring mood"

She has been to the museum, Queen Street, Penrose, for wheelchair repairs and Auckland’s newest shopping mall, Sylvia Park.

“I’ve shopped till I dropped several times at Sylvia Park now. During my first visit I had trouble with the lift’s buttons, so the next time I bought along a wooden spoon to use as an extension of my arm. It’s all part of the adventure” she smiled.

Fay Ngata also has used the train option frequently. One time Fay and three of her fellow wheelies invaded her local station’s platform and they were accepted with open arms. They were led to the appropriate carriage, seats were folded back and away they went.

She too heaped praise on the guardsmen

“Nothing is too much trouble for the guards. On one trip the train overshot the station’s platform and left us stranded with nowhere to attach the ramp. The guard on duty just nonchalantly picked up the ramp, escorted us to the next carriage and we departed the train with ease,” explained Fay.

Judy Orme has been riding the trains since 2005 when her partner Tony was a patient at Middlemore Hospital. She first used taxi’s but found them too expensive and then she found the trip to the hospital would only cost 70 cents for the train ride.

Now she goes all over Auckland by rail.

“It’s a great alternative to taxis,” she said.

One morning she woke up in a particularly adventurous mood. took a train to the Britomart station, dashed across the road to catch a ferry to Devonport.

“The trip was going well until the Ferry’s crew discovered the wheelchair ramp was not on board. After some discussion it was decided to take me back to Auckland’s wharf, pick up the ramp and make a second crossing to Davenport. It was all great fun,” laughed Judy.

CP members Kaylene, Fay and Judy all recommend travelling by train, as its cheap and full of spontaneous fun.

For further information on train travel ring 969-7777 on MAXX the Auckland Regional Transport website www.maxx.co.nz

Ross Flood- Editor
55 Hillside Road
Papatoetoe
Auckland
Phone/Fax (including answer phone) (09) 278-7106
Email Ross Flood