People with disabilities ‘second-class’ citizens when it comes to public transport

People with disabilities are “second-class citizens” when it comes to public transport, according to one advocacy group which criticised a ruling that it is “reasonable” to expect wheelchair users will give more than 24 hours’ notice if they plan on taking a bus.

The Workplace Relations Commission this week published its ruling in a case where it dismissed a claim of discrimination against Bus Éireann taken by a wheelchair user who was told he could not access a bus because the driver did not know how to operate the lift.

Karol Doherty, from Donegal, had taken the case against Bus Éireann after he was initially refused access to the Letterkenny to Dublin bus on April 28, 2014.