New figures out today on disabled access reinforce case for rail staff

Wed,28 November 2018
News Equality & Rights

Rail union RMT said that shocking new figures issued today on disabled access to Britain’s railways reinforce the case for station and train staff and are a shameful wake-up call for the whole industry.

More than 1,000 railway stations in Britain cannot be used by some disabled passengers and over 40% of the country's 2,560 stations do not have full step-free access, according to analysis of Office of Rail and Road data by the charity Leonard Cheshire.

Passengers have also reported problems arranging ramps to get them between a platform and a train.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said:

“Guards and station staff are crucial in delivering a safe and accessible railway for all and social media is awash with the appalling stories of those who have been left stranded because there was nobody to help them as numbers are hacked back by greedy train companies.  It is time for that scandal to be called to an end.”

Disability Rights UK supports the statement from RMT, as we have in the past.  The issue of guards on trains is absolutely critical to disabled people being able to travel on trains.

Anyone who has made a complaint to a rail service provider and is dissatisfied with the answer they received can now complain to the Rail Ombudsman