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Disabled travellers still missing the bus

2009-05-13 12:26:00 | admin

Disabled travellers are often forced to pay more for an “inconsistent and inaccessible” public transport system, according to a new report.

End Of The Line, conducted by Muscular Dystrophy Campaign group Trailblazers, looked at over 200 different journeys using mystery commuters, with each traveller completing a survey, as well as collating feedback from focus groups and blogs.

It found that on up to a third of bus journeys, disabled passengers were unable to board the first bus because of a broken or malfunctioning ramp, while half of all trains and stations lacked basic facilities for disabled people.

It also claims that disabled people also have to pay higher fares to use trains because of the inaccessibility of long distance coaches.

Trailblazer ambassador, Jessica Berry said that the report showed there was still “a long way to go” before the transport system was accessible.

“It’s incredible that transport providers think the level of service they currently provide for disabled commuters is good enough,” she said.

A spokesman for the EHRC welcomed the report, but conceded that despite the Disability Discrimination Act coming into force in December 2006, many disabled people still do not “experience equal access to transport, leisure facilities and education.”