MPs on the UK Transport Committee have recently published a report calling for an overhaul of laws and strategy to support those with disabilities using public transport.

The report published on 20 March was described by the committee as highlighting the ‘harsh daily reality’ that disabled people have experienced.  

In the report key finding from a survey, which received 825 responses, found that 67% of disabled people, or those who assist them, encounter problems using transport either “always” or “most of the time." 

A further 50.8% said that at least once a month they would decide against making a journey because they expected to face difficulties whilst travelling, and just 1.7% said they never experienced challenges when travelling.  

Transport Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury said: “This inquiry worked on the premise that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their condition or difference, and that services should be designed to enable disabled people to travel independently, not reliant on others. After all, services that work for disabled people also work better for everyone.”

The committee has recommended the government produce a new long-term, fully costed inclusive transport strategy to make both radical improvements across the transport network within 12 months.

They stressed that accessibility should be recognised as a human right rather than just a ‘nice to have.’

In June 2023 the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT(UK)) submitted evidence to this inquiry also advising transport policies and procedures should be effective and efficient.

The paper was submitted by CILT(UK)’s Accessibility and Inclusion Forum based on objective analysis of various issues, practical experience and stated that good practice should be widely disseminated and adopted.

Reacting to the Transport Committee’s report, CILT(UK)’s Accessibility and Inclusion Forum Chair, Gerard Butler said: “We welcome the recommendation of a multi-modal unified complaints service to ensure that all cases are followed up and addressed, and that data is released on resolutions, providing the service is suitably promoted and that there are various effective methods of making contact.

“In being multi-modal, we would expect the service to have a full level of expertise in all areas but see this has a massive potential benefit to help deliver reliable end to end journeys.

“Accordingly, the report acknowledges that the street environment should also be included, though this would be a challenge, given potential conflicts with other policy goals such as increasing cycling and issues such as the misuse of e-scooters. 

“It is encouraging to see that a refresh of accessibility legislation, a key part of our response to the consultation, is strongly advocated within the report, in particular where greater clarity is needed, such as what represents a reasonable adjustment.

“With upgraded laws comes the need for successful enforcement, so we endorse the review of enforcement bodies across all modes to reduce inconsistency.”

CILT(UK) also reached out to the Department for Transport (DfT) for comment to respond to the Transport Committee report.

A DfT spokesperson said: “It’s clear that accessibility has been an afterthought in developing transport services and there is more to do to ensure everyone can travel easily and with dignity.

“That’s why we have clear ambitions for a transport network that works for all and have already worked quickly to put accessibility at the heart of our bus and rail reforms, as well as continuing work to make hundreds of train stations step-free and launched an accessible aviation expert group.

“We continue to work closely with a range of people, including disabled people, to help us develop our policies, and we will consider these recommendations carefully as respond as soon as possible.”

You can view all of our specialist forums and policy groups by visiting, https://ciltuk.org.uk/About-Us/Forums-Communities and if you are interested in joining any, please contact: volunteer@ciltuk.org.uk

To access the Transport Committee report in full please click here.

To access CILT(UK)’s written evidence paper to the inquiry please click here.