§ Baroness Finlay of Llandaffasked Her Majesty's Government: What measures they are taking to work with transport providers to ensure that disabled people have ease of access to all forms of public transport. [HL291]
§ Lord Davies of OldhamThe Department for Transport is in regular contact with the transport industries, both manufacturers and operators, on all aspects of transport policy that affects the mobility of disabled people.
144WAIt has also worked closely with the transport industries, both manufacturers and operators, as well as with disabled people in developing accessibility regulations under Part 5 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Regulations have already been introduced for buses and coaches used on local scheduled services and since 31 December 2000 all new vehicles have had to meet accessibility requirements. Similar requirements were introduced from 1 January 1999 for all new passenger rail vehicles. A package of proposals for taxis is being developed and we will be consulting industry, disability organisations and other interested parties in due course.