New rights for disabled people travelling by bus and coach
15 February 2011
Disabled people, and those with mobility problems, across the European Union have won important new rights to travel on buses and coaches. UK charities are celebrating this success after a strong campaign lead in this country by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Sense, Age UK, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Guide Dogs, Radar and Action on Hearing Loss.
Key gains for disabled and older people include accessible travel information both before and during the journey, mandatory disability awareness training for all drivers and a right to compensation for damaged wheelchairs or other assistive equipment. In addition, information about passenger rights will become available in terminals and online.
Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg approved this Regulation, which will come into force in 2013. Importantly they will apply to all journeys, including local bus services.
The European Parliament vote follows the approval of the text on 31 January 2011 by EU governments, including the UK government.
UK charities will continue to campaign to see these regulations implemented without delay, in line with commitments made when the UK government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Sue Brown, Head of Public Policy at Sense, says: "More accessible travel means disabled people can participate more in society, so Sense welcomes the European Parliament's decision. Getting about is something a lot of us take for granted and disability awareness training for transport staff and accessible travel information means more deafblind people can understand and use public transport to go to work, doctors' appointments and visit family and friends. We hope UK and other EU governments will take this opportunity to make public transport part of a fair society."