British disability group reports southwest UK transportation "inconsistent, inaccessible"

From Western Morning News in the UK:

Disability campaigners have branded the public transport system in the South West as "inconsistent and inaccessible" in a new report.

Buses, taxis, trains and planes all came under fire in an investigation carried out by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers, made up of 16 to 30-year- olds.
They assessed information from members across the country, drawing on their experiences, to compile a dossier which it will use to lobby transport companies and Government.

The document, called End of the Line, has thrown up issues about facilities and accessibility on all forms of transport.

Of 200 journeys made across the country, investigators found that toilets were not modified for disabled use at half of the stations and trains.

The traveller was unable to board the first bus which came along in a third of cases, because of reasons including a broken ramp or the disabled seat being occupied.

In two out of five cases, disabled people had to pay more to use a taxi which was specially modified to accommodate a wheelchair.

The report says disabled people pay more to travel, because they have to get trains instead of coaches, which they say are often unsuitable for them.

Helen Starbuck, from Plymouth, who has muscular dystrophy, was among the travellers to contribute.

In one case, she claims a bus driver told her the ramp was not working, but later it transpired that it did. The driver also drove past her stop when she wanted to get off, she said.

She resents having to pay £150 for the oxygen cylinder she needs to take with her on a flight.

She said: "It's incredible that transport providers think the level of service they currently provide for disabled commuters is good enough. The End of the Line report shows there is still a long way to go before the transport system in the UK really is accessible."

A spokesman for bus operator First said the company made "every effort" to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

She said: "All of our drivers receive disability awareness training which ensures that they are able to offer the appropriate assistance as and when required, and 68 per cent of the buses that we operate in Devon and Cornwall are low floor, easy access vehicles. This makes us the largest operator of low floor, easy access buses in region."

She said all single-deck buses would be fully accessible by 2015, in line with legislation. Double-decker vehicles will all be adapted by 2017.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: "We take the needs of disabled customers very seriously, and we work closely with the Department for Transport all the time to improve facilities in stations as part of an ongoing programme. The vast majority of our stations are now accessible by wheelchair."

She said a range of discounted tickets were available for customers who booked in advance, with many working out cheaper than travelling by coach. High- speed trains had disabled toilets, and anyone who asked in advance could be assisted throughout their journey, she added.

Dave Green, chairman of the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association, said only 2 per cent of passengers were unable to be accommodated in a normal taxi.

He said it was virtually impossible to upgrade the fleet so that all taxis could carry all wheelchairs, because of the variety of different types in use.
But he said companies did have vehicles which allow wheelchair access, and he said: "We are delighted to help anyone who's disabled. We certainly don't charge them extra or anything like that."

Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker, will meet campaigners in Parliament today.

He said: "Many people with muscle disease feel that our public transport system does not meet the needs of its passengers. I hope that the report's findings will help boost independence and improve the quality of life for all people living with muscle disease.

"It's fantastic that young people are being given the opportunity to see their ideas make a difference and have an impact in their local communities."