Equal Opportunity Commissioner concerned about discrimination if Overland train service closes
Some of the state’s most vulnerable people could accuse the State Government of discrimination if The Overland train service closes next year, the state’s Equal Opportunity Commissioner has warned.
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People with disabilities, the elderly and those with health issues could accuse the State Government of discrimination if The Overland train service is shut down from next year, the state’s Equal Opportunity Commissioner has warned.
Commissioner Niki Vincent has written to Transport Minister Stephen Knoll, urging him to reconsider his decision to axe funding for the rail service, which runs between Adelaide and Melbourne.
The Overland’s future is under a cloud as its operator Journey Beyond, formerly Great Southern Rail, and the Victorian Government negotiate a potential funding deal that will enable the service to continue in 2020.
The South Australian Government cut its subsidy for the service in November last year, citing low patronage and the availability of other, cheaper transport options, such as buses and planes, as reasons for its decision.
The funding shortfall was expected to force The Overland to cease operating at the end of 2018. However, the Victorian Government threw it a lifeline in the form of an additional $200,000, while Journey Beyond chipped in an extra $130,000 to keep the service on track until the end of this year.
Dr Vincent is calling on the SA Government to reinstate funding for The Overland, saying if the service closes, some of the state’s most vulnerable people may be disadvantaged.
In her letter to Mr Knoll, Dr Vincent said she had “identified that the State Government may open itself up to possible complaints of discrimination if alternative modes of transport are not fully accessible to people with a disability or with accessibility issues,” according to the Commissioner’s recently-released annual report.
“The letter highlighted that the service was a vital transport link for (people with a disability, the elderly and those with health issues) living in rural and regional locations who are unable to access services in the major cities and who are not near airports,” the report read.
Dr Vincent told The Advertiser people would feel aggrieved if The Overland ceased to exist.
Opposition human services spokeswoman Nat Cook urged the Government to “show some compassion” and reinstate funding for the service.
“Just like the cuts to Adelaide Metro bus services earlier this year, cutting funding to The Overland will have a disproportional impact on people with a disability and elderly South Australians,” she said.
“This service is a lifeline to many people that may not be able to get on a plane or catch a bus.”
However, a South Australian Government spokesman said the Government stood by its decision.
“The Overland is a privately owned and operated tourism service and therefore it’s continuity is a matter for Journey Beyond,” he said.
Journey Beyond issued a statement about its future on Wednesday.
“The Overland has consistently required Government support which has heavily subsidised significant operational costs to ensure affordability for commuters,” it read.
“Journey Beyond is currently exploring opportunities with the Victorian Government to provide operations beyond December 2019.”
A Federal Government spokesman said “no decision has been made on whether Victoria will continue picking up South Australia’s tab for the Overland”.
Tickets for The Overland start at $114 one way, per person.