The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Disabled rail against capital’s scooter tram ban
EDINBURGH TRAM bosses were yesterday under fire for “discriminating” against the disabled by banning mobility scooters.
The £776 million network will be operating by the end of May but scooters for the disabled will not be allowed “because of space”.
The new tram cars were designed to have wide and accommodating aisles with space to allow wheelchairs and buggies on board.
But campaigners for disability rights blasted the service after the council revealed mobility scooters were “not permitted”.
Charlie McMillan, director of services and development for Disability Scotland, said: “Given that the trams are all about access to the city, we are disappointed that people with mobility scooters will not able to use them.
“You would think that in 2014, a large public transport system such as this would be able to accept all passengers and be fully accessible.”
Tom Gilzean, 92, a war veteran and charity fundraiser who uses a mobility scooter to get around Edinburgh, will effectively be banned from the service.
He said: “They should have ensured that everyone could enjoy the tram and be able to get on and off it, they’ve spent enough on it.”
Mobility scooters were banned on Manchester’s Metrolink service until campaigners forced a change earlier this month.
Margaret Wilson of Shopmobility Edinburgh, who rents scooters to city centre users and tourists, said: “If people can board in Manchester, I don’t see why they can’t do the same in Edinburgh.”
A council spokeswoman said: “As with buses in the city, mobility scooters will not be permitted on trams because of space and in the interests of safety.
“The designated spaces are designed for wheelchair dimensions and mobility scooters come in many shapes and sizes which makes it difficult for them to be accommodated.”