28 April 2009 Public Transport

My name is Jessica, I'm 19 from Macclesfield in the North West. I joined the Trailblazers only a few months ago, and not long after was invited to the Trailblazers training weekend in December, which was a great opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills. I have since felt more aware of common problems and feel inspired to make a difference.

 One of the Trailblazer's main targets for 2009 is the issue of public transport for people with disabilities, which I think is important and is something that should be equal for everybody, despite any disability.

 The main form of public transport I use is trains, with the main problem for me being the lack of independence. Yes, train companies will claim they have made most of their facilities ‘wheelchair accessible', which in all fairness they have, but does this matter if you can't access them on your own and you are constantly relying on somebody else?

For example, when arranging a journey you are required to ring and reserve your wheelchair allocated seats, and at the same time to make them aware that you need assistance (which you are expected to do at least 24 hours before travel or they can't guarantee your assistance will be arranged in time). So, in other words if you're disabled you're not allowed to spontaneously travel anywhere because it's simply too much hassle, not to mention the fact that you can't even travel to certain places as their stations are unmanned and you'll have no chance of getting off.

Arrangements will then be made for one of the station staff to meet you before the train arrives with a ramp and let you on, and again when you arrive at your destination the staff there will have been informed to arrange assistance to let you back off again. Yet, for something that seems so simple, the service is so inconsistent amongst stations. Some stations are great (particularly the smaller ones) but some, without naming any (Manchester Piccadilly) never hurry themselves to come and get you off the train despite having booked the travel assistance ‘at least 24 hours before'. Yes, it's the end of the line and it's the last stop for a while, but still it's so scary being left on a train with no way of getting off independently. You've done all you possibly can by arranging your travel assistance yet nobody seems to care. People don't understand. Others on the train, they can just walk off.

So, when you eventually speak to a member of staff they will claim that they were ‘on their way'...sure.

 Anyway, as I'm sure you've guessed my main concern is trains, as that's the form of public transport I use most frequently. Alongside the problem of the ramp and access onto the train, once you eventually get on there's an extreme shortage of wheelchair spaces which are often occupied by non-disabled people (often those with lots of luggage and are funny about moving when you ask, despite the sign behind saying that disabled people have priority by law).

 Most modern buses in the North West now have raised pavements allowing independent wheelchair access onto the buses, so why shouldn't trains be the same?

 Despite the improvements, public transport still has a long way to go in order to fulfil everyone's needs.

Tags: North West

5 Comments

• David Gale replied on 22 Jan 2009 at 17:22
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  Hi Jessica im ambulant with Beckers but i can understand how awkward it must be because a lot of stations as you say are unmaned and i have often wondererd what if some one lives in a rural area with a train station?? because theres no ramps etc and that why this is such an important aspect that needs looking at.

  As im from Carlisle a lot of the stations around here are all unmanned stations which in such a rural area is quite bad as most of the stations have steps which can be hard for ambulant people such as myself.

  Just think there needs to be more accessable stations in the country as its much easier to use in theroy than buses etc anyways hopefully what we all do will result in some changes :-)

• jennifer gallacher replied on 23 Jan 2009 at 15:54
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  Great blog Jessica. I totally agree with what you say.
  I hate the fact that a wheelchair user has to book assistance within 24hours of the date of travel. Is independence not a word that transport companies are aware of? Also the lack of wheelchair spaces provided on trains is awful. One space per carriage is stupid. Why cant 2 wheelchair users sit together ?
  I don't use trains very much but when I do I dread it.

• Rosemarie connolly replied on 14 May 2009 at 20:16
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  Hi Jess, it's Rose.
  Trying to contact you.
  Please get in touch.

• Alex Downey replied on 17 Sep 2009 at 16:08
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  Dear Jessica,
  Would you like to be interviewed on Preston FM radio about your campaigning work?
  I am a trainee volunteer broadcaster there. We can interview you by 'phone if you cannot travel to Preston. My partner & I are recording at show next Monday everning. Would you like to be in it?

  Thank you.
  Sincerely,
  Alexander Downey

• Alex Downey replied on 17 Sep 2009 at 16:09
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  Dear Jessica,
  Would you like to be interviewed on Preston FM radio about your campaigning work?
  I am a trainee volunteer broadcaster there. We can interview you by 'phone if you cannot travel to Preston. My partner & I are recording a show next Monday evening. Would you like to be in it?

  Thank you.
  Sincerely,
  Alexander Downey

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