Ombudsman criticises 'unfair' lack of transport access for people with disabilities

The Ombudsman described malfunctioning lifts and train passengers with disabilities having to give notice in advance so that someone can be present with a ramp to enable them to board as "entirely unacceptable" and something that "must be addressed as a matter of urgency". File photo: Yui Mok/PA

The "unfair" and "entirely unacceptable" lack of access to personal transport for people with disabilities has been slammed by the Ombudsman, who claimed the failure to ensure equal access "casts a shadow on us as a country".

In a new report, Peter Tyndall said his office has received many complaints in relation to the administration of the transport support schemes in place - the Motorised Transport Grant, the Mobility Allowance and the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme - and that on a daily basis people with a disability meet with barriers to access to train and bus services.