Anita wins transport stoush

A Rockingham woman has won her battle for the right to take her medical assistance dog on public transport.

Anita Gustafsson began her fight with Transperth to take diabetes dog Mika on public transport during September last year when she was refused access to a bus while travelling to a medical appointment.

Ms Gustafsson, who has severe type-1 diabetes, said she needs Mika to prevent her from falling into a coma or having a seizure.

She was granted a ministerial pass enabling her to access public transport freely with her dog.

Ms Gustafsson said the eight week wait for a decision on the pass created overwhelming stress levels and severely affected her health.

‘‘During July I really hit rock bottom. I was so sick and everything was going out of wack with my diabetes,’’ she said.

However, despite her special dispensation, Ms Gustafsson said she was denied entry to the bus three times — until the drivers contacted their depot for confirmation.

After she was refused access to a bus in August, Ms Gustafsson sent a letter of complaint to Transperth and contacted her human rights attorney, Alex Van Oeveren.

Mr Van Oeveren complained to Transperth insisting the bus pass issues would be sorted out or Ms Gustafsson would resume prior plans to take the case to Federal Court.

Transperth responded saying the incidents should have never have occurred and guaranteed they would not happen again.

Ms Gustafsson said she was sceptical about her next bus trip but was pleased at being able to move forward with her life.

Transperth was contacted for comment but did not respond at the time of going to print.