Sydney Metro faces its biggest test yet as guide dogs set out to explore accessibility features

It’s been up and running for over a week, clocking more than 1 million passengers in just a few days, but Sydney Metro’s biggest challenge is just around the corner as the new railway faces its first full season. And now that the humans have had their turn, it’s over to the dogs to help test out the project’s unmatched accessibility features. 

A group of 20 visitors from the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT team, half of which are blind and have low vision, recently set out to familiarise themselves with the new Sydney Metro.

Along with six guide dogs, they helped kickstart the City of Sydney’s messaging that the Sydney Metro is now Australia’s only fully-accessible railway.

Hopefully, it’s just the beginning to make all of Sydney’s transport much more accessible so that all tourists and locals can enjoy the convenience of world-class transport.

The transport system has been designed to current standards, making it one of the most modern transport networks in the world. To reiterate its place on the world’s stage, it’s important to highlight Sydney Metro’s numerous accessibility features so both tourists and locals can rest assured that this metro is for everyone.

While delayed safety checks initially delayed the Sydney Metro from the start of August, the most important checks now are how easy it is for people with accessibility requirements to navigate the new stations and the Sydney Metro M1 line. The City of Sydney has addressed this with the following features

• Level access between platforms and trains (that is, no more gap to step over before moving onto the train)
• Australian-first technology in platform screen doors, using a sensor to keep people and objects safely away from the tracks
• Digital screens and interactive kiosks at stations to inform passengers of when the next service is
• Hearing loop services
• Braille signage
• Lifts at all stations
• Audio and video help points
• Tactile flooring
• Accessible toilets
• Kerb ramps and accessible “kiss-and-ride” drop-off/pick-up points
• Indicator lighting and surrounding chimes to let passengers know when platform screen doors are opening and closing
• Each metro train having two wheelchair spaces per carriage as well dedicated priority seating for those with accessibility requirements
• Multi-purpose areas for prams, luggage, and bicycles

The very studious working dogs reportedly spent all day understanding the layout of the station as well as the positioning of escalators and lifts, the locations of facilities like customer help and every emergency point with Crows Nest station serving as the blueprint for these helpful pups.

Once the project is fully revealed, the Sydney Metro will be made up of 46 fully-accessible stations. Currently, the new stations that are open include

• Crows Nest
• Victoria Cross in North Sydney
• Barangaroo
• Martin Place
• Gadigal
• Central
• Waterloo
• Sydenham