The Transport Committee today launches a new inquiry that will
examine ways to make different modes of transport, public and
private, more accessible to disabled people and those with access
needs.
The inquiry will examine the effectiveness of legislation that
should require transport providers to make services accessible,
how the legislation is enforced and any gaps in it that need to
be filled.
The cross-party Committee will also look at the forms of redress
available to those who are excluded or mistreated. The full terms
of reference can be read below.
The Committee launches this inquiry after hearing from
campaigners and charities that various modes of transport are not
easily accessible for people with a wide range of disabilities,
health conditions and access needs.
The Equality Act, the National Disability Strategy and the
Inclusive Transport Strategy are all in place to make sure that
disabled people can travel easily and confidently. But research has shown
that people with access needs are still less likely to travel,
and feel less confident about travelling, than people without
access needs.
Chair's comments
Transport Committee Chair said:
"After receiving evidence from groups representing disabled
people, it became clear to my colleagues and I that there is a
great deal of discontent among people with disabilities about the
way transport services are run.
Many simply feel locked out of various modes of transport, from
trains to planes and taxis, which of course means exclusion from
work, education, socialising and all sorts of experiences that
many take for granted. Even reaching a train or a bus can be
difficult if the streets are not designed inclusively. There are
myriad ways that different disabilities can render an
individual’s experience on public transport intimidating,
stressful, or simply impractical.
This inquiry will take a nuanced look at the system of legal
obligations that govern how transport services should be run in a
way that’s accessible for all, and at the means of enforcement
and redress available to groups who feel side-lined.
We will also look for a solution to the absence of any
simple-to-use means of redress for people who are mistreated or
denied their rights. People shouldn’t have to threaten huge,
well-resourced transport companies with court action – typically
a burden on complainants’ time, money and mental health that can
take years to conclude.”
Survey
The Committee has launched a survey to capture the experiences of
people with access needs when using transport services, and their
experiences of attempting to complain or seek redress. Visit the survey here.
We welcome responses by Monday 20th March 2023.
Call for evidence
The Transport Committee would like to receive written evidence
that addresses the following points. Submissions can be sent to
the Committee via our website until Monday
20th March.
- How effective is the current legislation aimed at ensuring
accessible transport for all?
- How can existing legislation be better enforced to make
accessible transport a reality?
- Are operators and local licensing authorities fulfilling
their legal obligations to disabled travellers and travellers
with other accessibility needs? If not, why not?
- How well do complaints and compensation processes work when
things go wrong?
- Are there specific transport modes or kinds of journeys where
compliance with legal obligations is especially patchy? Are there
differences according to where in the country you are travelling?
What difficulties does this cause for travellers with access
needs?
- How effective are the relevant regulators at enforcing
accessibility in transport? These include the Equality and Human
Rights Commission, the Office of Rail and Road, Local Licensing
Authorities [and the Civil Aviation Authority].
- Do current legal obligations or guidance need to be
strengthened?
- What best practices should transport operators be following
to improve their performance on access and inclusion for users?
- How effective is the Government’s Inclusive Transport
Strategy, and how well does it influence decision-making across
transport policy? How could it be improved?
An easy read version of the terms of reference can be found here.
