Do you think accessible transport for disabled people has improved or not at all ?

Question

This is about disabled people and access to transport (Public), and please consider all railway stations, Buses even rural areas (i.e. not the big cities)

Answer 1

Its taking a while for smaller villages to catch up with the bigger towns

Answer 2

In Harrogate all the buses are disabled accessible. The trains have a ramp on and the attendant can help on passengers. Some of the village rail stations have better access than others, all the stations in the area that could easily be modified have been but a few because of the design of the building have limited accessibility - usually nothing can be done with the remaining stations that do not have good accessibility without demolishing or hugely altering a beautiful Victorian building at great financial cost (and in most of these villages to the benefit of maybe 2 or 3 people at very most).
Most staff at stations and on buses are trained and equipped to help with blind and deaf passengers. Guide dogs are, of course, allowed and usually hearing loops are fitted.

Answer 3

Certainly it would appear that things are improving in rural areas with some bus providers adapting vehicles to accommodate wheel chairs and by introducing seating provision for those with mobility impairment.

I suspect though that many of these improvements have come about due to enforcement of equal opportunities and disabled access laws.

In relation to railways stations, though I do not have access to a railway station I am aware of the improvements of facilities for the disabled, such as access to disabled toilets and drop down ramps on trains for wheelchair access.

Hope this helps with your research a little.

Answer 4

I only get back to the UK once a year so I do notice the changes. They are of course never enough, but heh they are one heck of a lot better than they are where my students live, so it is always possible for me at least to see some sunshine in the equation.
It should be made a part of the curriculum for Town and Country planners,Transport and Building designers etc that they spend at least a month in a disabled person's shoes.
That would soon bring on change.

Answer 5

trains and there stations are ok for the disabled but the buses still have a lot of room for improvement though what u think?

Answer 6

I really don't think so. they still have to pre-plan their trips, they are not allowed spontaniety at all. There are very few buses with wheelchair access and trains as well.

Answer 7

i think there is a big way to go, but according to the DDA it should have already been done, not all buses, trains are accesable, and not everyone is helpful enough