Welsh Conservatives today called for the Welsh Government to make public transport more accessible and increase the use of audio-visual announcements on buses.
During an opposition debate, the group highlighted ease of access to railway stations for passengers with reduced mobility and called for more staff training in disabled passenger requirements.
In October 2010, an Equality of Opportunity Committee raised concerns that more than half of Wales’ rail stations were not fully accessible to disabled people.
Shadow Minister for Transport, Byron Davies AM, said:
“While some progress has been made, the fact is that a lot more remains to be done.
“It is nearly 12 months since the Committee’s report, yet only a few weeks ago MS Society Cymru criticised the government for its lack of any long term plan to bring stations up to standard.
“In Port Talbot for example, disabled passengers must give 24 hours’ notice so arrangements can be made for them to cross the tracks and get to the central platform.
“That’s not good enough and it needs urgent improvement.
“The same must be said for audio-visual announcements on buses. Welsh Conservatives want these messages phased in across Wales as a matter of priority.
“While at least one service has made it clear it will explore this technology, advancements across Wales remain slow. When these announcements would make travelling much easier for the visually or hearing impaired, there is no excuse not to work tirelessly to solve the problems and vastly increase use.”
During the debate, the Welsh Conservative group also highlighted a need for improved staff training and an extension of the Companion Bus scheme.
Mr Davies said: “There’s no reason why this scheme can’t be taken further – enabling more than one just one person to travel with those who need help.
“Training of staff should also be developed and provided in consultation with disabled service users. Simply – if there is greater integration between modes of transport and staff awareness of all forms of assistance, it would enable easier transfers from one form of transport to another.”
National Assembly Member Mohammad Asghar also emphasised the importance of transport staff being properly trained to understand the need of disabled users and has renewed his calls for the Companion Bus Pass scheme to be extended.
The South Wales East AM said: “With less than half of rail stations fully accessible, buses largely lacking appropriate announcements, travel information often difficult to find in accessible formats and with doubts existing over staff understanding, journeys for disabled passengers often require rigorous advance planning”.
On audible and visual announcements on buses, Mr Asghar added: “This is relatively simple but hugely innovative technology which makes travelling on buses so much easier for so many.
“I was delighted when Newport Transport committed in evidence to the Equality of Opportunity Committee to become the UK’s first bus operator to install audio destination announcements on all new buses procured.
“Sadly, due to the economic climate, my discussions suggest that this conviction has been downgraded slightly, but they remain committed to exploring these developments; and also the possibility of visual announcements.
“I recently welcomed staff from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to my Regional Office in Newport to meet Newport Transport – and we now await a commitment paper which the transport group have promised to prepare”.
Mr Asghar did praise Newport Transport on the training it offers its staff with regards to the needs of disabled passengers, noting that “such good practice needs to be replicated across Wales”
He is “eager to hear from the Minister how he feels the Welsh Government can influence this”.
The Shadow Minister for Equalities & Sport again emphasised his belief that the Companion Bus Pass scheme in Wales needs to be extended.
He said: “Current regulations state a severely disabled person may request one Companion Bus Pass. Additional carers are required to pay for travel.
“This should be addressed so that bus travellers who require help from more than one companion should be able to apply for additional passes”.
He added: “A lot of work remains to be done to ensure Wales boasts a transport network which allows the disabled to enjoy greater independence and, in many cases, allows them to fulfil their potential”.
