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The rolling stock of the Val Venosta valley railway VINSCHGERBAHN

The Val Venosta valley railway has a very good accessibility:

The modern Val Venosta valley railway has two railway carriages per train, which has altogether over 104 (variable) seats and standing room for 124 people (variable), based on an assumption of four people per square meter.

Of the two railway carriages, one is accessible for physically disabled people. Signs on the carriage (in the door area) indicate the accessible carriage, in the direction of Malles the accessible carriage is in front, in the direction Merano the accessible carriage is at the back.

The low-floor construction of the railway is adapted to the height of the platform, this aspect and the wide doors are a great advantage for the passengers: the passenger area can be entered without steps which makes travelling much easier, especially for disabled people, elderly people, families with prams and cyclists. Even the distance between the carriage and the platform was reduced to a technical minimum of 8 cm.

Seat belts give the seated persons and people in wheelchairs more safety during the journey. Nevertheless it has to be noted that up until now, no reserved seats are available for physically restricted passengers.

In addition to the normal door opening buttons in the door area, also external and internal blue door opening buttons are available at a height of 95 cm: if these blue buttons are pressed, the doors only closes automatically, when the train conductor gives the command for the closure. During closure of the doors a loud acoustic warning signal sounds for people with sight disabilities. Especially for these people all platforms have a tactile yellow safety line and loud and clear platform announcements.

In the door area there is also a well accessible emergency lever at a maximum height of 140 cm. In the entrance area you also find a well accessible ticket machine at a maximum height of 150 cm. The yellow ticket validators are also well accessible at a maximum height of 125 cm.

Modern design and low noise underline the new travel feeling between Merano and Malles. The attractive interior design with light and friendly carriages gives the passengers a relaxed feeling. Panoramic windows with wide window openings and a lower border at a height of 70 cm, allow all passengers a good view. This modern travelling standard is also maintained in the summer months. The carriages and the conductor area are equipped with two independent air conditioning systems and offer a pleasant atmosphere on hot days.

THE TOILET ON BOARD IS ACCESSIBLE WITH ASSISTANCE

The toilet of the Val Venosta valley train has a sliding door with a width of door of 72 cm, but inside the necessary manoeuvring space is missing, to be able to use the toilet independently, for example to close the door behind oneself without help. The total depth of the toilet is approx. 110 cm, whereas the total width of the WC is approx. 130 cm.

The toilet has a free manoeuvring surface of all together about 110 x 90 cm. The WC has 2 grab handles. On the left side of the toilet a foldable grab handle is installed, whereas a second linear grab handle is fixed on the wall on the right side of the WC. A well reachable alarm bell, an accessible washbasin (height 84 cm) and the seat height of the WC (height 49 cm) have a positive effect on the accessibility. The fix mirror however, is a bit high with a height of 125 cm (see photos of the Val Venosta valley railway).