Access to trains in NSW

Most trains across NSW are accessible for people with limited mobility and other disabilities. Some older trains used on NSW TrainLink Regional services may have limited accessibility.
The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport lays out a guide for mobility aids and gaining access to public transport. If your mobility aid does not meet these criteria, you will not be able to use it on public transport.
- All Sydney Trains and most Intercity services are accessible for mobility aids that meet our mobility aid specifications.
- Intercity trains have accessible toilets on board. Sydney Trains do not. Not all Regional services have accessible toilets.
- Accessible doors are marked with a wheelchair symbol and located:
- At the end of carriages (some stations)
- Near the sixth carriage on Sydney Trains
- In the middle of the platform on Intercity and Regional services
- Most doors and handrails are painted yellow for visibility and will assist you to board safely. A warning announcement is made when train doors are closing. On some trains, this is accompanied by an electronic warning tone and lights.
- Next stop announcements are made on board and network maps are displayed in carriages.
- Train guards and station staff have received disability awareness training and know how to assist someone who needs helps.
Many train stations have accessible features, such as:
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Lifts or ramps to platforms
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Tactile tiles at platform edges and wayfinding paths
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Continuous handrails
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Hearing loops
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Accessible ticket counters, payphones and toilets
Within stations, network maps are available and electronic departure screens indicate when the next train is due and which stations it will stop at. Audio announcements are made when the train is approaching.
Find out if your destination has a short platform as this may affect how and where you disembark.
If you have to use level crossings to access or leave stations, read through the guidelines for level crossing safety.
You can use the Stations, stops and wharves search to check features at your station.
Note: Mobility aid storage is not available at stations.
Station staff can assist you with getting on and off trains. Upon arrival at the station or when using transport apps, check if the station is attended. If a staff member cannot be easily located, contact details will be displayed or are available using the apps.
All trains are accessible using a platform-to-train boarding ramp. The boarding ramps are available on the train or on the platform to help you get on and off safely.
However, these ramps can only be used at specific boarding assistance zones. Look for the wheelchair accessibility symbol marked on the platform in a Sydney Trains station or check with staff if you are at an Intercity or regional station.
Boarding ramps, which can be used for wheelchairs, motorised scooters, other mobility aids and prams or if you just need assistance, are 80cm wide with a maximum load tolerance of 300kg. This includes the weight of yourself, your aid and anyone helping you on the ramp. Read through the required specifications for mobility aids before travelling.
Raised tiles are placed along the edge of platforms to warn people with impaired vision when they are too close to the edge. The layer of tiles is 60cm deep and located behind the yellow line, which is generally 75cm from the edge of the platform.
Some stations also have tactile tiles to help with wayfinding to stairs and along concourse areas.
When catching the train, staff can help you with:
- directions to the boarding assistance zone on the platform
- the best carriage to travel in if you are getting off the train at a station with a short platform
- getting on and off the train with the boarding ramp
- service and trip planning information
- the location of accessible facilities at the station
- notifying the guard on the train of your location on board
- contacting other staff on the network to assist you with getting off that train as well as on other legs of your trip.
Staff cannot assist you with:
- the operation of your mobility aid
- moving your mobility aid, including lifting or carrying it
- your personal care needs.
Regional and older Intercity trains can have limited accessibility. When planning an accessible trip on a NSW TrainLink train or coach service:
- Call 13 22 32 ahead of your trip for the most up-to-date information. Please have your proof of entitlement card or evidence of disability information ready when making your booking.
- Check upcoming trackwork as this could mean that services could be replaced by coaches, which may affect the accessibility of your trip.
- Look up the accessibility classification and facilities, including accessible toilets, at stations.
- Please note some regional trains cannot accommodate wheelchairs on board unless they can be folded and the occupant can board without their aid.
- Find out if your destination has a short platform as this may affect how and where you disembark.
If you have to use level crossings to access or leave stations, read through the guidelines for level crossing safety.
Once you have planned your accessible trip on a NSW TrainLink Regional train or coach service, you can call 131 500 (or NRS 133 677) to let them know about your assistance requirements in advance.
You can also use Emergency Help Points on the platform or some trains to let staff know where you are to make sure a boarding ramp is available.
When catching the train, staff can help you with:
- your travel needs and medical equipment requirements
- accessible information and features on board trains and coaches
- accessible facilities at regional stations, stops and interchanges
- planned trackwork that may affect your service and accessibility.
You will be notified of any changes that affect your service and accessibility, and NSW TrainLink staff will advise you of alternative travel options.