• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About DNS
  • Subscribe to DNS
  • Advertise with DNS
  • Support DNS
  • Contact DNS

Disability News Service

the country's only news agency specialising in disability issues

  • Home
  • Independent Living
    • Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Housing
    • Transport
  • Activism & Campaigning
  • Benefits & Poverty
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
You are here: Home / News Archive / Labour conference: Transport industry ‘must do more on access’

Labour conference: Transport industry ‘must do more on access’

By guest on 3rd September 2010 Category: News Archive

Listen

Representatives of the transport industry have been criticised for failing to do more to improve the accessibility of public transport.

John Dickinson-Lilley, RNIB’s parliamentary officer, told a fringe event at the Labour conference in Manchester that there was a need for a “genuine shift in attitudes and culture” on accessibility among transport providers.

He said it was still not possible for him to buy or pick up tickets from machines at rail stations because they were inaccessible.

Sue Sharp, head of public policy and campaigns for Guide Dogs, said the issue of the accessibility of ticket machines had been an issue for “more than a decade”.

She said: “Despite the improvements in ticket machines, it is an issue that has not been addressed.”

Edward Welsh, corporate affairs director for the Association of Train Operating Companies, admitted: “I know we could do a lot more to improve accessibility.”

But he added: “There is no doubt that things are improving. Two million people a year seek our help to get around stations. I would hope that is helpful for people trying to pick up tickets.”

Sharp also raised concerns that cuts to public spending might lead to a reduction in the “important research that underpins good policy” on the accessibility of public transport.

And she pointed to the importance of well-trained staff to the accessibility of the transport system, and the need for stations to be staffed.

She said: “We have to look at the issue of staffing. Unstaffed stations effectively make it impossible for disabled people to use the station.”

27 September 2010

Share this post:

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on RedditShare on LinkedIn
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Related

‘Muddled’ blue badge reforms ‘are to blame for renewal delays’
6th February 2015
UN debate will be reminder of true inclusive education
6th February 2015
IDS breaks pledge on PIP waiting-times, as tens of thousands still queue for months
30th January 2015

Primary Sidebar

On the left of the image are multiple heads of different colours - white, aqua, red, light brown, and dark green - all grouped together, then the words ‘Campaign for Disability Justice. Sign up to support. #OpportunitySecurityRespect’
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Access

Latest Stories

‘Disastrous’ cuts bill that leaves legacy of distrust and distress ‘must be dropped’

Four disabled Labour MPs stand up to government over cuts to disability benefits

Silence from MP sister of Rachel Reeves over suicide linked to PIP flaws, just as government was seeking cuts

Disabled people receiving care were ‘ignored by design’ during the pandemic, Covid inquiry hears

Disabled activists warn Labour MPs who vote for cuts: ‘The gloves will be off’

GB News says it has nothing to apologise for, after guest suggests starving disabled benefit claimants

SEND inspections find services in just one in four areas usually lead to ‘positive’ outcomes for disabled children

Disabled MP who quit government over benefit cuts tells DNS: ‘The consequences will be devastating’

Disabled peers plan to ‘amend, amend, amend, amend, amend’ after assisted dying bill reaches Lords

Minister finally admits that working-age benefits spending is stable, despite months of ‘spiralling’ claims

Advice and Information

Readspeaker
A photograph shows an audience raising their hands in a BSL sign. The words say: 'BSL Conference 2025. The future starts with us. Leeds 17-18 July. Be part of shaping the future of Deaf cultures and identities. Get 10% off with BDA10'

Footer

The International Standard Serial Number for Disability News Service is: ISSN 2398-8924

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site map
  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Threads
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 Disability News Service

Site development by A Bright Clear Web