§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to provide funding for making buses accessible for people with disabilities. [38760]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNone. Bus manufacturers and operators are already recognising the commercial benefits of accessibility not only for disabled people but also for those passengers travelling with prams or baby buggies.
Government do provide funding to local authorities through the Local Transport Settlement in order to improve the physical environment, such as pavements and bus stops to provide better access to existing buses.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to set a deadline for all buses to be accessible for people with disabilities. [38761]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe are currently consulting with disability organisations, industry and local authorities on our proposed timetable for implementation of the bus and coach provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
We have suggested that new large single deck buses should be accessible from 1 January 2000 and all large single deck buses by 2015, all new double deck buses from 1 January 2002 with an end date of 2017 for all double deck buses to be accessible. For coaches and small buses we are proposing 1 January 2005 for new vehicles and 2020 for total compliance of all vehicles.
We will be consulting on our final proposals in the form of draft regulations when we have considered the responses to the current consultation exercise.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on encouraging implementation of the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 with reference to public transport for people with disabilities. [38763]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe are committed to comprehensive civil rights for disabled people. Accessible public transport, within the framework of an integrated transport policy, is fundamentally important to delivering this commitment.
We have drawn up detailed proposals on the transport provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act covering bus and coach, rail and licensed taxis. We are consulting 422W with disability organisations, industry and local authorities both on the technical details and on the timetable for implementation.
§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans there are to adapt London Underground stations to provide access for people with disabilities. [38762]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonAll new stations on the Jubilee Line Extension will be fully accessible to people with disabilities. London Transport also has plans for developing a step-free network of around 60 key stations. The Government have asked LT to look at how these plans can be accelerated by the extra funding which the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 20 March 1998,Official Report, columns 1539–42.