Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is accelerating progress to make the UK a world leader for accessible travel as a new government campaign launches to improve the journeys of disabled passengers on public transport.
The Department for Transport has launched the ‘it’s everyone’s journey’ advertising campaign to highlight how we can all play a part in making public transport inclusive. The campaign is being supported by more than 100 partners, including First Group, WHSmith Travel and the Alzheimer’s Society.
As 1 in 4 disabled people say the attitudes of other passengers prevent them from using public transport, the campaign will encourage everyone to reflect on how common, and often unconscious, behaviours can impact others and what we can all do to create a more considerate environment for passengers.
The government will also shortly be announcing 124 stations across Great Britain which will benefit from a share of a £20 million government investment for accessibility improvements. The enhancements - funded through the Access for All programme - will include new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "I want our transport system to be the best in the world for disabled people, but we still have a long way to go.
"Our ‘its everyone’s journey’ campaign highlights that we can all play a part in making transport more accessible for disabled people. Because I believe we should all be making a determined effort to make public transport accessible to everyone, and I am committed to accelerating the pace of change.
"We are launching a new scheme to recognise those transport operators which are getting it right and will work quickly to implement recommendations from the upcoming Keith Williams review to improve rail accessibility."
Department for Transport research has shown that behaviours that make public transport a daunting place for disabled people are often unconscious, such as not looking out for a fellow passenger who might need a seat or be in distress.
The campaign will raise awareness about the needs of disabled people when using public transport, particularly people with non-visible impairments, and will also prompt members of the public to think and consider how their behaviour might impact others.
Combatting barriers to public transport is also one of the key parts of the government’s loneliness strategy which includes the funding of a Kent coffee caravan and the pilot to expand the services provided by mobility centres in England.
John Birtwistle, Head of Policy at FirstGroup, said: "FirstGroup is particularly proud to be a partner in the launch of “it’s everyone’s journey”. For many years we have sought to improve our services to reflect the needs of travellers with disabilities and to overcome barriers to use of public transport.
"We will continue to encourage every one of our customers to be considerate to both their fellow travellers, and to our drivers who do a great job under difficult conditions, and we welcome this wide reaching national campaign."
James Taylor, Director of Strategy and Social Change at disability equality charity Scope, said: "Scope are pleased to back the ‘it’s everyone’s journey’ campaign. Disabled people have a right to be treated fairly rather than like second class citizens when they use public transport.
"The negative attitudes and awkwardness many disabled people continue to experience when travelling need to be a thing of the past. We hope this campaign acts as a catalyst to address these issues so that disabled people can travel fairly."
Alongside this, the department is launching its Inclusive Transport Leaders scheme, an accreditation scheme which will encourage, celebrate and promote best practice in inclusive transport.
Operators, such as bus and train companies, are encouraged to sign up to the Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme, to be recognised for the positive actions they are taking to improve disabled passengers’ experiences on public transport, and to encourage others to follow their lead.
They can work towards 1 of 3 accreditation levels ‘Committed’, ‘Operator’ or ‘Leader’ by meeting designated criteria and publicly declaring the steps they have taken to improve the travelling experiences of disabled passengers, older people, and those with reduced mobility.
These improvements form part of the wider Inclusive Transport Strategy and supports the government’s ambition of achieving equal access for all on public transport.
Research from TRL, a specialist in the delivery of transport research and technology, is also being published today, carried out to inform revisions of the tactile paving and inclusive mobility guidance which the department intends updating later this year.