Metrolink Ban on Mobility Scooters

Disability campaigners are calling for a ban to be lifted on mobility scooters on the Metrolink in Manchester.

All Metrolink trams are wheelchair accessible but personal mobility vehicles, such as scooters, have been banned on the network since it opened in 1992.  In practise, mobility scooters have still been allowed on board but transport bosses recently started enforcing the ban, following the introduction of new trams on the network.

Metrolink director, Philip Purdy, claimed allowing mobility scooters onto the trams would create ‘unacceptable risks’.

However figures show that children’s pushchairs were responsible for more tram accidents than mobility scooters.  Between 2007 and 2009 there were eight incidents involving pushchairs, while during the same period there were six incidents involving mobility scooters.

Public Transport Mobility Vehicles

Noreen Philips, from Shopmobility Manchester, has been campaigning for the ban to be lifted.

Noreen commented: “This just highlights the access issues disabled people have when using public transport.

“Disabled people using mobility scooters are banned from the tram because of accidents, yet their accident record is much less than others.  Can you imagine the public outcry if parents with pushchairs were banned?”

Campaigners say there was no consultation on the ban and it is in breach of the Disability Discrimination Act.  Thirteen MPs have signed a House of Commons motion calling on Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority to re-consider the ban.  A working group has also been set up to look at the issue.