§ Adam PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he(a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that people with disabilities have full access to public transport. [6315]
§ Ms KeebleWe are committed to providing an accessible public transport system in which disabled people will have the same opportunities to travel as everyone else.
We have made regulations under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) to require new trains and trams (since January 1999) and new buses and coaches with capacity for more than 22 passengers, used on local or scheduled services (since January 2001) to be accessible to disabled people, including wheelchair users.
Access to transport infrastructure, such as rail stations and bus stops, is subject to Part III of the DDA, which covers access to goods, facilities and services. Since 1 October 1999, service providers have been required to take steps to change practices, policies or procedures that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service. From 2004, service providers will have to take steps to remove, alter, or provide means of avoiding physical features that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use a service.
In addition, the 10-year transport plan includes a commitment to making access for disabled people a condition of public investment in transport.