End of the Line

A recent investigation into the UK public transport system saw 200 mystery disabled commuters brand the service ‘inconsistent and inaccessible.’

The investigative report titled End of the Line was presented to Parliament last month. The disabled commuters, travelling between various locations throughout the UK, reported on their experiences in order to assess the state of the nation’s transport system.

Trailblazers

The report is the first to be released from the Inclusion Now campaign organised by Trailblazers, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s nationwide network of 16 to 30-year-olds who are fighting for the rights of young disabled people.

Trailblazers revealed a number of truths about the availability of disabled access in the UK’s transport system. Bringing together surveys carried out by disabled travellers after each journey and information received through blogs and focus groups the report concluded:

• Wheelchair users are forced to pay more to use public transport than their non-disabled peers as buses are predominantly inaccessible, forcing disabled passengers to pay an additional cost to travel by rail.

• Half of trains and stations lacked basic disabled facilities.

• On a third of bus journeys, the mystery commuter was unable to board the first bus which arrived at the stop. In many instances the access ramp was broken, the accessible space on the bus was unavailable or the driver failed to stop.

• Two out of five of the young disabled people were forced to pay more to use a wheelchair accessible taxi, compared with their non-disabled peers. Many disabled people feel forced to used taxis to travel due to the strain of using the bus and rail networks.

Four years after the enforcement of the Disability Discrimination Act the report suggests that transport providers still fail to fulfil their duties in providing an equal service to disabled commuters.

Accessibility

Commenting on the Trailblazers’ report, a spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomes the Trailblazers and their current campaign to promote access to public transport.

“Although the Disability Discrimination Act started to come into force in December 2006 many disabled people still not do experience equal access to transport, leisure facilities and education.”

The young campaigners presented their findings to MPs and Peers at the House of Commons, where they called on the Government and local authorities, together with transport providers, to review their accessibility policies.

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who met with the Trailblazer campaigners in Parliament, said: “Many people with muscle disease feel that our public transport system does not meet the needs of its passengers. I hope that the report’s findings will help boost independence and improve the quality of life for all people living with muscle disease.”

“It’s fantastic that young people are being given the opportunity to see their ideas make a difference and have an impact in their local communities.”

Long Way to Go

Trailblazer Ambassador, 19-year-old Jessica Berry, who has limb girdle muscular dystrophy, explained, “Most people find it easy to get around and be independent, but when you are disabled simple tasks like travelling spontaneously can be extremely difficult.”

“It’s incredible that transport providers think the level of service they currently provide for disabled commuters is good enough. The End of the Line report shows there is still a long way to go before the transport system in the UK really is accessible.”

“I hope that by joining forces with other young disabled campaigners from across the UK we’ll have a real impact and access to public transport can be improved.”

See the full Trailblazers report by clicking here.

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