Travelling by public transport can be tough when you’re
disabled, and it’s made even worse by uncertainties and expectations that
aren’t met.
@Ami2301 recently spoke to Scope about the challenges she’s faced when using public transport, how the
failings of booked assistance have not only inconvenienced but put both Ami and
other members of the public in danger.
‘On two occasions, other passengers have had to lift me in
my wheelchair, on and off the train, because assistance never arrived. This is
dangerous, not only for me, but for the passengers that are lifting me too. If
it were not for their kindness, then we wouldn’t have gotten home, or been able
to attend important appointments.’
Public transport might not always be dependable, but a
disabled passenger should be able to rely on certain levels of service. A
journey shouldn’t be filled with anxiety because you can’t be sure whether
you’ll be able to get on or off, or if you’ll have anywhere to sit.
‘On the bus I regularly use, there are about 30 seats and a
single space for a wheelchair.’ Ami says of a recent journey. She was the only
wheelchair user aboard and had gotten on, knowing she had a right to the
wheelchair space as a priority seat. ‘I should have been allowed in that space,’
she says. ‘But because of non-disabled people using the priority seats, I ended
up blocking the aisle. No one would move to another seat or offered to stand.’
Scope are currently campaigning to help make travel fair and
we need your help.
We want bus, train, taxi and metro companies to make a clear promise to
disabled passengers about what they should be able to expect, and an easy way
to complain if things go wrong with a journey.
To make them listen and for our campaign to make a
difference, we need you to tell us what promises you want to see public transport companies make in order to make it easier for
disabled people to travel.
Have you had bad experiences of public transport? What
promises would you like companies to make? Tell us how to make travel fair here and in the comments below!
