Transport

Overall aim

Disabled people have access to transportation on an equal basis with others so that they use transport as much as non-disabled people, and feel safe and comfortable doing so, and are ensured personal mobility with greater independence.

Achievements from 2005 to 2009

• Rights under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act extended to land-based public transport vehicles.
• New European legislation protects disabled air travellers against discrimination.
• Railways for All Strategy (external link) and £370 million fund to improve access to stations from 2006-15.
• Strategic Review of the Blue Badge Scheme (external link)and launched the Blue Badge Reform Strategy (external link).
• 'GOJO' Campaign to encourage disabled people to use public transport.

Next steps on our strategy

• Implementing the Blue Badge reform programme, ensuring it stays fit for purpose and improves the lives of the disabled people who use it.
• Continue to work towards compliance dates for buses and trains (2020).
• Introduce duties for drivers of accessible taxis and private hire vehicles to assist disabled people. Launch demonstration schemes about accessible taxi provision in three local authority areas (2010).
• Domestic implementation of European Union regulations relating to maritime passengers' rights (2013).
• Consider training guidelines for those working in transport industry (2010).

• Article 9 - accessibility
• Article 20 - personal mobility

• 4.1 (evidence-based strategies for enhancing personal mobility options and transport choices for disabled people).
• 4.2 (training of transport providers).
• 4.3 (information and confidence training for disabled people).
• 4.4 (local transport plans and accessibility planning).
• 4.5 (stakeholder engagement including a specific focus on harder to reach groups).
• 10.6 (support young disabled people to become independent users of transport).