Thank you for contacting me about travel for disabled people.
Like the Government, I want disabled people to travel easily, confidently and at no additional cost and I am encouraged by the range of measures that are being taken, across all forms of transport, to support this.
I know the Government is committed to implementing the Inclusive Transport Strategy. The overall goal of the strategy is to create a transport system that offers equal access for disabled passengers by 2030, with assistance if physical infrastructure remains a barrier. The Strategy covers all modes of transport and includes over 90 individual commitments in total.
I believe it is essential that the lack of knowledge of passenger rights is addressed and I am glad the strategy commits to taking clear steps to raise awareness. This involves working to ensure that all passengers know what service they can expect and have the assurance that reporting non-compliance will lead to enforcement action. Providing timely and high-quality assistance services to disabled travellers, including those with less visible disabilities, is vital to ensure disabled people can travel with confidence.,
I am pleased that the new Island Line trains are now running on the Island. These trains have additional wheelchair spaces and aid buttons. Platform heights have also been adjusted to improve accessibility.
More broadly, I am pleased that the Government's National Bus Strategy requires every local authority to have a bus passenger charter to ensure that disabled passengers get the services that they need. I will continue to follow progress and implementation closely in Parliament.
More broadly, I welcome the new National Disability Strategy, published in 2021, which aims to provide more accessible housing, easier commuting and better job prospects for millions of disabled people in the UK. The strategy marks the first cross-government endeavour to improve disabled people’s everyday lives with legislation, policy and funding from across all corners of Government.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
