A group of senior MPs has issued a stark warning about the state of accessibility for disabled people on public transport in the UK. Describing the situation as a “national embarrassment”, the parliament’s cross-party transport select committee identified “systematic” failings across all modes of public transportation. They highlighted that disabled individuals are burdened with the responsibility of holding operators and authorities accountable, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
Transport for All, a charity led by disabled individuals, is urging the government to take immediate action based on the committee’s findings. Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood acknowledged that more needs to be done to ensure that all individuals can travel with ease and dignity. The report revealed that nearly seven out of ten disabled people encounter travel barriers on a regular basis.
The committee, chaired by Ruth Cadbury MP, emphasized the current complexity of the system, calling on the Department for Transport to streamline processes and review legislation for improved accessibility. They stressed the need for a cultural shift to prioritize disability inclusion as a fundamental human rights issue.
Transport for All echoed the committee’s concerns, emphasizing the lack of equal access to transportation for the disabled community. Calling for immediate action, the charity’s chief executive Caroline Stickland welcomed the report as a wake-up call for the government to address issues of transport accessibility nationwide.
Among the report’s 29 conclusions and recommendations is a call for the government to develop a new inclusive transport strategy within a year. Additionally, ministers are encouraged to simplify the existing regulatory framework, which is deemed excessively convoluted and fragmented. Overall, the report points to a pressing need for significant improvements in the accessibility of public transport in the UK.
Vocabulary List:
- Accessibility /əkˌsɛsəˈbɪləti/ (noun): The quality of being able to be reached or entered particularly for disabled individuals.
- Systematic /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪk/ (adjective): Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical.
- Burdened /ˈbɜrdənd/ (verb): To be loaded with a heavy responsibility or obligation.
- Convoluted /ˈkɒnvəluːtɪd/ (adjective): Extremely complex and difficult to follow.
- Cultural /ˈkʌltʃərəl/ (adjective): Relating to the ideas customs and social behavior of a society.
- Recommendations /ˌrɛkəmenˈdeɪʃənz/ (noun): Suggestions or proposals for the best course of action.
