THE MILLIONS FACING TRAVEL NIGHTMARES

TRAVEL for millions of disabled people is becoming a nightmare, says a leading transport organisation.

From wheelchair users being stranded on trains without a ramp to blind people refused taxis when travelling with a guide dog, research shows access barriers to transport are rife on every mode of transport, and at every stage of the journey.

On average, those questioned by Transport For All said they would make

50% more journeys every week if barriers to transport were removed.

One participant said: “I rarely see other people or have social interactions.

“I feel very lonely and bored with life. I struggle to get more physically fit or expand my energy capacity back to where it was before the Covid-19 pandemic because the initial hurdles are so high. I often miss out on networking which could progress my career, because I struggle to get to in-person events and meetings.”

Having to navigate constant access barriers takes a significant financial toll on the disabled community as well.

Cost was identified as the single most significant barrier to travelling by rail and taxi.

More expensive

One in seven of respondents reported being unlawfully charged extra by taxi drivers due to being disabled.

One said: “I need to travel with someone with me and this means I have to pay more.

“Even with a disabled persons railcard, it is more expensive than for a non-disabled person.”

According to the charity Scope, disabled people already face an additional £975 a month in living costs..

Transport for All is now calling on the Government to urgently expand concessionary travel schemes and provide greater financial support.

Caroline Stickland, the charity’s chief, said: “Disabled people are not listened to when it comes to infrastructure planning.

“This study is part of our broader work to remedy this injustice.

“It is unacceptable that millions of us are still prevented from going out, seeing loved ones, accessing work, education, and medical care because of inaccessible transport.

“It is now the responsibility of decisionmakers to listen to our experiences and remove the discriminatory barriers that are holding our community back.”