Let’s reshape the public transport experience for the benefit of all
There is still no guarantee a wheelchair user will actually be able to make the journeys they want
The deadline to end the sale of polluting cars has been brought forward to 2030. With the cost of electric vehicles still huge, this could be the perfect opportunity to get more people out of their cars altogether and onto public transport. To achieve this, we need to address the physical barriers to using public transport – other than the obvious lack of availability, of course.
Trains are notoriously difficult to make accessible. So many stations, especially but not exclusively those in rural areas, have almost no level access to platforms and involve major feats of engineering to resolve them. Buses and coaches are clearly better placed but how accessible are they?
For anyone whose disability is severe, travelling by public transport involves booking ahead so staff or equipment can be put in place to support their journey. This completely rules out the option of spontaneous travel, something most of us take for granted. And while any bus or coach in regular service now has to be accessible to wheelchair users, this is no guarantee a wheelchair user will actually be able to make the journeys they want.
Real progress has been made in awareness training for front-line staff. Audio/visual announcements are improving journeys for people with hearing and sight issues, and high-contrast poles and handles are now standard. Some attention has even been given to the materials used on floors and seats to reduce their impact.
There is still a steady stream of headlines about vulnerable or disabled people who have been refused travel, or whose journeys have been ruined, by a lack of thought or care
Is it enough? Clearly not. There is still a steady stream of headlines about vulnerable or disabled people who have been refused travel, or whose journeys have been ruined, by a lack of thought or care.
Any changes that make public transport more accessible for people with disabilities and mental health issues, make it more accessible to everyone. Never has this been more clearly demonstrated than in the use of technology during the current health crisis. Being able to book space on a bus, checking capacity before travelling and paying for tickets via an app or online are innovations that benefit us all.
And there is another, urgent imperative: decarbonisation. If we are to stand a hope of meeting our decarbonisation targets, we need people to switch to sustainable transport and active travel.
The UK is a hotbed of world-leading designers, engineers and IT developers, people who would embrace the opportunity to transform our communities through accessible, inclusive transport. We need to bring them together with operators, transport providers and transport planners. And above all we need to include those people who struggle to access public transport so we can identify the barriers they face and find practical, effective solutions.
We would be happy to chair this multi-modal re-design group, and with support from the DfT’s Innovations Fund we could work together to make public transport a genuinely viable and attractive option for everyone.
ABOUT BUS USERS: Bus Users campaigns for inclusive, accessible transport. It is the only approved Alternative Dispute Resolution Body for the bus and coach industry and the designated body for handling complaints under the Passenger Rights in Bus and Coach Legislation. Bus Users is also part of a Sustainable Transport Group of organisations working to promote the benefits of public, shared and active travel.
Alongside its complaints work Bus Users investigate and monitor services and work with operators and transport providers to improve services for everyone. They run events, carry out research, respond to consultations, speak at government select committees and take part in industry events to make sure the voice of the passenger is heard.
Bus Users UK is a registered charity (1178677 and SC049144) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (04635458).
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Raising the bar
by Passenger Transport on Jan 28, 2021 • 11:35 am No CommentsLet’s reshape the public transport experience for the benefit of all
The deadline to end the sale of polluting cars has been brought forward to 2030. With the cost of electric vehicles still huge, this could be the perfect opportunity to get more people out of their cars altogether and onto public transport. To achieve this, we need to address the physical barriers to using public transport – other than the obvious lack of availability, of course.
Trains are notoriously difficult to make accessible. So many stations, especially but not exclusively those in rural areas, have almost no level access to platforms and involve major feats of engineering to resolve them. Buses and coaches are clearly better placed but how accessible are they?
For anyone whose disability is severe, travelling by public transport involves booking ahead so staff or equipment can be put in place to support their journey. This completely rules out the option of spontaneous travel, something most of us take for granted. And while any bus or coach in regular service now has to be accessible to wheelchair users, this is no guarantee a wheelchair user will actually be able to make the journeys they want.
Real progress has been made in awareness training for front-line staff. Audio/visual announcements are improving journeys for people with hearing and sight issues, and high-contrast poles and handles are now standard. Some attention has even been given to the materials used on floors and seats to reduce their impact.
Is it enough? Clearly not. There is still a steady stream of headlines about vulnerable or disabled people who have been refused travel, or whose journeys have been ruined, by a lack of thought or care.
Any changes that make public transport more accessible for people with disabilities and mental health issues, make it more accessible to everyone. Never has this been more clearly demonstrated than in the use of technology during the current health crisis. Being able to book space on a bus, checking capacity before travelling and paying for tickets via an app or online are innovations that benefit us all.
And there is another, urgent imperative: decarbonisation. If we are to stand a hope of meeting our decarbonisation targets, we need people to switch to sustainable transport and active travel.
The UK is a hotbed of world-leading designers, engineers and IT developers, people who would embrace the opportunity to transform our communities through accessible, inclusive transport. We need to bring them together with operators, transport providers and transport planners. And above all we need to include those people who struggle to access public transport so we can identify the barriers they face and find practical, effective solutions.
We would be happy to chair this multi-modal re-design group, and with support from the DfT’s Innovations Fund we could work together to make public transport a genuinely viable and attractive option for everyone.
Let’s make this happen. Get in touch with us at press@bususers.org
Claire Walter is chief executive of Bus Users
ABOUT BUS USERS: Bus Users campaigns for inclusive, accessible transport. It is the only approved Alternative Dispute Resolution Body for the bus and coach industry and the designated body for handling complaints under the Passenger Rights in Bus and Coach Legislation. Bus Users is also part of a Sustainable Transport Group of organisations working to promote the benefits of public, shared and active travel.
Alongside its complaints work Bus Users investigate and monitor services and work with operators and transport providers to improve services for everyone. They run events, carry out research, respond to consultations, speak at government select committees and take part in industry events to make sure the voice of the passenger is heard.
Bus Users UK is a registered charity (1178677 and SC049144) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (04635458).
Get the latest news delivered to your inbox. CLICK HERE to subscribe to our e-newsletter.