Call for changes as poll reveals disabled people’s ‘nightmare’

Most disabled people face problems using public transport, new research shows.

A survey commissioned by disability equality charity Scope indicated that many experience anxiety because of issues they encounter as a result of their impairment or condition.

Out of 2,004 disabled adults polled, 80% said they have felt stressed using or planning journeys on public transport. Among the most common problems were overcrowding, negative attitudes from other people, problems getting off a vehicle and a lack of appropriate seating.

Scope is calling for a new passenger charter across all public transport to clearly set out the rights of disabled customers. It also wants a single transport regulator to be established to boost accessibility.

Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “The frustrations and uncertainties disabled passengers face can turn what should be a straightforward journey into a nightmare.

“Too many disabled people are being isolated by a service which should be connecting us. If we are really serious about tackling loneliness and getting more disabled people into work, and enabling disabled people to be independent, we have to make travelling easier.”

Scope’s Anna Bird said: “A genuinely accessible public transport network could make a huge difference to disabled people’s lives.

“But instead, disabled people have to take a gamble with every journey they make – not knowing if they’ll be able to get on or off, not knowing if they’ll be able to get the seat they need, or facing offensive or hurtful comments from others.”