Transport accessibility put on a back burner

News
Following DR UK’s meeting with the Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, on the announcement of £4 million investment for local transport services, the Bus Bill which is at second reading, proposes a commitment to improving bus services and infrastructure across England. The Bill aims to enable Disabled people to travel with dignity and ease.

DR UK has made a submission to the Bill Committee, highlighting the need to ensure regular disability equality training for bus drivers, stronger enforcement of wheelchair user spaces on buses, ensuring the safety of bus stops including floating bus stops and making concessionary fares consistent across England.

The Government has also responded to the highly critical report of the Transport Select Committee on transport accessibility, referring the issue to the LAW Commission.  DR UK finds it incomprehensible that the Department for Transport is abdicating its own responsibility for driving accessibility forward.

DRUK Transport Policy Adviser Stephen Brookes said, 'We will continue our fight to achieve accessible and consistent bus services with simple fare structures based on the Disabled Bus Pass across all operators in England.' 

To read the Department for Transport's response to the Transport Select Committee's Disabled people's access to transport report click here.