‘Serious challenges’ remain for disabled access to transport

SERIOUS challenges remain if Ireland is to be confident of a transport system that provides transport for all, the National Disability Authority (NDA) warned yesterday.

While there had been significant progress on accessible public transport, a large part of existing rail transport infrastructure will require significant investment to make it accessible.

Also, it will be some years before accessible long distance coaches will be introduced.

The introduction of a fully accessible taxi service still requires developments in design specification and the introduction of standards for services.

And access to the pedestrian and transport infrastructure requires investment and greater co-operation and co-ordination between transport service providers and local authorities.

However, the report on transport provision commissioned by the NDA and published in Dublin yesterday presents gives many reasons to be pleased with the progress made in making public transport accessible to people with disabilities in recent years.

Four years ago there were minimal accessible buses, coaches and trains in Ireland. Now all of Bus Eireann’s urban fleet are low floor vehicles while around 40% of Dublin Bus’s fleet also have low floors .

Next year all stations on the DART line will be fully accessible.

When LUAS commences in Dublin this year people with disabilities will be able to travel on it as it is to be fully accessible from day one.

NDA chairperson Angela Kerins said while they had many reasons to be pleased with the progress made in making transport accessible, much remained to be done.

In particular, the report recommends that the Department of Transport ensure that transport legislation, regulation and licensing requirement contain specific requirements to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

“The Government must give a firm commitment to continue priority investment in accessible transport infrastructure and the establishment of a single travel information source for people with disabilities,” Ms Kerins insisted.

In particular, the authority welcomed the establishment of the Commission on Taxi Regulation which will have a key role in improving access to taxis for people with disabilities.

The report by consultants at Booz Allen Hamilton also points out that the National Development Plan, which runs to 2006, contains a number of commitments regarding investment in transport infrastructure and facilities.

Specifically, all new and upgraded rail and bus stations, all light rail vehicles and suburban railcars and all buses financed under the NDP must be accessible to people with mobility and sensory impairments.

Currently, transport providers use various standards in providing accessible facilities and services.