WIMMERA people with a disability could gain more independence with a direct passenger rail service from Horsham to Melbourne.

Just Better Care’s human resource and quality manager Mick Clark said passenger rail would give people living with a disability the freedom to go about their daily lives without relying on others.

Mr Clark said people with a disability were entitled to travel just like everyone else. However, he said the current transportation system restricted their ability to achieve independence. 

“At the moment our clients have to get onto a bus and then off a bus and then onto a train. There are too many steps and that becomes a bit of a barrier for them,” he said. 

“When we teach them how to travel, we familiarise them with what they need to do, but it becomes confusing when there are unnecessary steps in between.” 

He said a passenger rail service in Horsham would be a one step process that is easier for them to remember. 

“The easier we keep the process, and the more fluent it is, the better because they’re more likely to travel by themselves eventually,” he said. “If we are building their capacity then we need to have a smooth process to make that easier.” 

Mr Clark said passenger rail services would give people with disabilities the same opportunities available to able-bodied people.

“Passenger rail services can empower people with a disability to travel without the cost of a carer,” he said.