Mind the Gap, Watch Your Step…but what if you can’t?
Public transport plays a critical role in people’s movement and contributes to meeting the UK Government’s Net Zero target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to Net Zero by 2050. Accessibility of public transport for millions of disabled people in the UK is essential to achieving the UK Net Zero target. So how are things evolving to make a more inclusive public transport system?
The Equality Act 2010 is a key piece of legislation that continues to shape transport services, ensuring public transport remains accessible for people living with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.
Under the previous Conservative government, two initiatives were critical for enhancing the accessibility of public transport, including:
The Accessibility Action Plan (2018) which saw commitment to making rail services more accessible through station improvements, including step-free access and enhancing communication of important information, including delays and changes to transport routes.
The Disability Confident Scheme (2014) encouraged employers to rethink disability and improve how they recruit, retain and develop team members living with disabilities, including accommodating commuter needs.
More recently, on 19th February 2025, the current Labour government’s Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood announced the appointment of 13 new members to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), which provides advice to the Department for Transport (DfT), particularly in relation to policy priorities and areas requiring immediate attention. In the past, DPTAC has helped DfT to make over 260 train stations accessible, via the Access for All programme.
For many, rail is essential for travel across the UK, yet it can be challenging for people with disabilities where accessibility has not been thoroughly considered. As part of the previous Conservative government’s Inclusive Transport Strategy (2018), £350m was put into projects to improve accessibility, such as step-free access improvement works.
Transreport, in partnership with National Rail, offer their Passenger Assistance service which enables people to request assistance with train travel and book in advance across any train company in the UK. Passenger Assist helps people navigate stations, get on and off trains, arrange ramp and lift access, carry baggage and assist with getting an Assistance Dog Under Seat card.
The current Labour government are planning to reform the UK rail network by establishing Great British Rail (GBR), which will eventually run both Britain’s rail infrastructure and passenger services, but concerns were raised by The Association of British Commuters (ABC) when the recent consultation on the Railway Bill failed to include any mention of a statutory accessibility duty. The DPTAC will likely be working closely with the DfT to ensure accessibility to rail services remains a priority as plans develop. The Railway Bill consultation closes on 15th April 2025, so there is still time to have your say on policy changes and the proposed passenger watchdog, which is expected to have a specific role for accessibility. Click here to read ‘A Railway Fit for Britain’s Future’ published by the DfT to find out more.
Buses in the UK have generally seen more consistent improvements, from low-floor model buses helping those with physical disabilities to audio-visual-enabled announcements assisting those with hearing or sight impairments. These changes are being made through legislation and should improve the accessibility, reliability, and comfort experienced by disabled users, as evidenced by research. In 2023, the Public Service Vehicle Regulations were brought out, meaning service providers are required to make “reasonable adjustments”, including access to passenger assistance and access to alternative transport options to ensure that disabled people are not put at a disadvantage. These regulations mean that all public services vehicles such as buses and coaches must comply with certain accessibility standards by 2031, improving accessibility for disabled travellers.
The switch to accessible vehicles tends to be slower on rural networks than in cities, but community transport options have filled the space for accessible transport where it is limited; they can take you to medical appointments and social occasions in your local area. If you require accessible transport, check who your local community transport provider is; they may be able to help.
What Can You Do to Help?
If you come across someone who may need help while travelling, consider offering your assistance if you feel comfortable doing so. They may not require any help, which is perfectly fine, but they may appreciate the offer. Try to understand the kind of assistance they might need, and when offering your help, ensure you clearly explain how you plan to assist them. Once you’ve helped, provide them with a brief overview of their new surroundings if their disability is related to sight before continuing on your way. People may or may not appreciate the offer of help, but whether they accept it or not, kindness is free.
If you think you could volunteer some of your time to support people with disabilities more regularly, take a look at BeMyEyes an app where individuals with sight-related disabilities can request assistance with everyday tasks, including travel.
Could you spare some of your time to assist with community transport in your local area? Community transport provides access for those who need additional assistance when travelling. This can include driving minibuses or offering one-to-one trips in a car to appointments or social activities. Visit our website at smartertravel.uk.com to find out more about the community transport providers operating in your area.
