Access and disability
Adelaide Metro is accessible for anyone who travels on public transport.
You may be able to travel for free if you are eligible for a special pass or with a cheaper fare if you have a concession card.
Find out if you are eligible: Concession finder tool
We work under the standards set by the Disability Discrimination Act to make public transport accessible.
Adelaide Metro is always looking at ways to improve accessibility including lighting, shelters, stations and more.
Adelaide Metro is continually updating signage throughout the network to improve accessibility. This includes:
- improving contrast between colours used on signs
- placing signs at a height accessible for all users
- using braille, raised text, symbols, pictograms and arrows
- using walls, kerbs, tactile surfaces and handrails to help wayfinding
- audible information as well as printed signage.
Accessibility features
Buses, trains and trams have various features to increase accessibility to our public transport services.
Drivers can assist with ramps, guidance and travel information, but cannot physically move you or your mobility device. If you need support, please travel with someone who can help you. You may be able to get a companion card for your helper so there are no extra trip costs. If you are catching a bus, drivers can tilt the bus and set up a ramp, so you can easily board.
All buses, trains and trams have boarding ramps which can be used if needed. If you use a wheelchair or motorised mobility device, for your safety, make sure you move on to ramps with the wheels straight and do not turn when you are on the ramp. Please check sizing and safety requirements prior to your journey.
To get on a bus, wait until the driver sets up the ramp for you.
To get on a train or tram, wait over the platform area that has the blue and white international symbol of Access icon (wheelchair symbol).
Once the train or tram stops, the first door will open in front of the area with the access symbol. The driver or uniformed employee will set up the access ramp for you to board the train or tram.
Reflective wallets are available for people who have a non-apparent disability. These wallets are used to alert a driver that you need a boarding ramp to get on a bus, train or tram. You can order a reflective wallet from Adelaide Metro by calling the InfoLine on 1300 311 108 or visiting the InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station.
To alert a train or tram driver that you need the ramp, stand on the blue and white International Symbol of Access icon (wheelchair symbol), and show your reflective wallet when it is approaching.
The seats and spaces displaying these signs are for people who:
When on a bus, train or tram always apply the brakes on your wheelchair, mobility aid or pram. If your walking aid has a seat, please do not use this on public transport as it is not safe.
Any passenger can use empty priority seats or spaces, but they must move out of them for others that need this area to access public transport safely. If you have a disability, you do not need to move out of a priority seat for somebody else unless you think it is safe for you to do so. ‘Stop’ or ‘Ramp request’ buttons are located near priority seats and allocated spaces so you can alert the driver when your stop or station is next and if you need the ramp to exit.
Please remember, not all disabilities or mobility issues are apparent.
Passengers who are blind or have low vision
Catching a bus
If you are blind or have low vision and are waiting at a bus stop with:
- a white cane
- an assistance animal
- a reflective wallet
- and/or a vision impairment badge
drivers will tell you what route number they are driving. When you board, let the driver know which stop you need, so they can alert you when you get to your stop.
Catching a train or tram
Trains stop at every station, unless it is an express service. Listen for announcements at the station letting you know if the train is a regular or express service.
Trams service all stops in the city. For stops outside the city, you must request the tram to stop by pushing the red button located on most poles inside the tram. Once you are on board, listen for announcements for upcoming stops.
A travel pass for a person with vision impairment entitles you to free travel on all Adelaide Metro services. This can be either with a:
- Person with Vision Impairment Special Pass metroCARD,
- On a bus, you can choose to validate it or show it to the driver. You will also need to show it to an authorised officer when requested on any of our services.
- Person with Vision Impairment Travel Pass,
- You cannot validate it as it is not a metroCARD. On a bus, you must show it to the driver. You will also need to show it to an authorised officer when requested on any of our services.
Assistance animals
Assistance animals travel free on all Adelaide Metro services. The animal must be either:
If you are using public transport with an assistance animal as an owner or trainer, you must carry a:
- a valid metroCARD or special pass,
- prescribed accreditation identification for the animal from:
- Assistance Dogs Australia,
- Guide Dogs SA/NT (owner’s pass or puppy raising pass),
- Lions Hearing Dogs,
- Righteous Pups Australia Inc.
- The Royal Society for the Blind SA (owner’s pass or training pass),
- Vision Australia,
- Dog and Cat Management Board,
- an equivalent interstate organisation.
- an accepted concession card or evidence of concession.
Your assistance animal must meet hygiene standards and behave in a safe and appropriate way for public transport. There are penalties for using public transport with an animal that is not an assistance animal.
Related information
Legislation and standards
