Disability Action Yorkshire Event Focuses On Transport Accessibility

14 Jan

Disability Action Yorkshire is giving regional transport companies a unique opportunity to talk about their policies for improving accessibility on public transport at a special event to be held in February.

The Harrogate-based charity has invited bosses from Northern Rail, Transdev Harrogate, LNER, Leeds Bradford Airport and Integrated Passenger Transport at North Yorkshire Council to discuss their respective plans of action to make journeys a better and safer experience for disabled people across the region. Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough will chair the meeting.

The transport chiefs will have the opportunity to hear at first-hand from an audience of people with a range of disabilities about the very real day-to-day challenges of travelling on trains and buses and spending time at the airport.

The event has been prompted by the success of a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce’s meeting on public transport in the region. Disability Action Yorkshire’s Chief Executive Officer, Jackie Snape asked senior representatives of the four companies present what plans they had to improve the travelling experience for people with disabilities in Yorkshire and beyond.

The detailed responses she got to her question made Jackie realise that there was clearly a need for disabled people and the four companies to come together in an open and positive way so that both companies and people could benefit.

Jackie said: “The experience of disabled people travelling on public transport is an ongoing issue for Disability Action Yorkshire and one that we focus on in a lot of our activities across the region.

“After hearing the responses from Northern Trains, Transdev Harrogate, LNER and Leeds Bradford Airport, I felt that a roundtable discussion on travelling when disabled people could hear and be heard was much needed and I am delighted that the four transport companies have agreed to take part.”

The event will be held on 9th February in Harrogate.

A range of improvements was revealed by travel chiefs at the chamber meeting. At Leeds Bradford Airport, these include increased staffing, new specialist accessible vehicles, call points in car parks and more lifts for easier access. Northern Trains continue to enhance accessibility in their station investment plans, they are improving digital information, making signage clearer and working with user accessibility groups.

Transdev Harrogate, which operates buses in the Harrogate area, revealed that new vehicles would be equipped with designated spaces for wheelchairs and trolleys, hearing device connections would be enhanced, a new app introduced tailored to individual needs and that the Transdev depot was now fully accessible for employees and visitors alike.

Mainline trail operator LNER said it was introducing a new passenger assist app, creating assistance lounges for disabled people, testing and investing in audio, signage and screens and encouraging staff cross-training to assist disabled passengers and fostering a people-first approach.

Jackie said: “We are very pleased that all these improvements have taken place or are set to go ahead. Our roundtable event should also be able to provide the transport companies with really useful feedback for the improvements that are up and running.

Disability Action Yorkshire aim to find solutions for disabled people whatever their aspirations. Whether you are a disabled person or support someone who is - we are here to support you.

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