Media release issued by RNIB, Sense, Age UK, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Guide Dogs, Radar and RNID.
For immediate publication: 15 February 2011
Victory!
Today disabled people, and those with mobility problems, across the European Union have won important new rights to travel on buses and coaches. UK charities are celebrating this success after a strong campaign lead in this country by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Sense, Age UK, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Guide Dogs, Radar and RNID.
Key gains for disabled and older people
Key gains for disabled and older people include accessible travel information both before and during the journey, mandatory disability awareness training for all drivers and a right to compensation for damaged wheelchairs or other assistive equipment. In addition, information about passenger rights will become available in terminals and online.
Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg approved this Regulation, which will come into force in 2013. Importantly they will apply to all journeys, including local bus services.
RNIB
Fazilet Hadi, RNIB Group Director, Inclusive Society says: "This is a fantastic victory for disabled people! For blind and partially sighted people being able to use a bus service means greater opportunities for employment, further education and social activities like seeing your family. It's key to independence and quality of life. RNIB thanks all the MEPs who have supported the campaign and their disabled constituents."
The European Parliament vote follows the approval of the text on 31 January 2011 by EU governments, including the UK government.
UK charities will continue to campaign to see these regulations implemented without delay, in line with commitments made when the UK government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Sense
Sue Brown, Head of Public Policy at Sense, the national deafblind
charity, says: "More accessible travel means disabled people can participate more in society, so Sense welcomes the European Parliament's decision. Getting about is something a lot of us take for granted and disability awareness training for transport staff and accessible travel information means more deafblind people can understand and use public transport to go to work, doctors' appointments and visit family and friends. We hope UK and other EU governments will take this opportunity to make public transport part of a fair society."
Guide Dogs
Sue Sharp, Head of Public Policy and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, says: "Disabled people rely on bus services more than non-disabled people. This regulation will make a real difference by making those journeys easier and less stressful. We are delighted at the support of MEPs in helping to secure these important changes for disabled people across Europe."
Leonard Cheshire Disability
Guy Parckar, acting director of Policy and Campaigns at Leonard Cheshire Disability says: "This is very positive news. Restrictions when using transport are among the biggest barriers to social inclusion for disabled people. This change should help to build a transport network that is more user-friendly and accessible."
Radar
Marije Davidson, Public Affairs Manager at Radar, says: "This is a real step towards accessibility for disabled people. Despite disability discrimination legislation, disabled people still experience negative attitudes and can't get on inaccessible buses. This will strengthen our rights and improve access to education and employment. Radar wants these measures to be implemented as quickly as possible."
Age UK
Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's Charity Director, says: "This new EU law is great news for the 150 million Europeans in later life, including over 4.5 million older people in the UK who use local buses at least once a week. Bus services can be a lifeline, particularly for those with reduced mobility. This regulation guarantees older people a right to transport, and should mean better service from drivers who now start to receive mandatory disability training."
RNID
Roger Wicks, RNID's Director of Research, Policy and Government Relations, says: "People with hearing loss often face unnecessary communication barriers when trying to obtain information about everyday travel disruption or cancellations. These ground-breaking regulations, which require drivers and terminal staff to receive disability awareness training, will have a tremendous impact by making bus and coach travel more accessible for passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing."
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For more information, please contact Yashoda Sutton, RNIB Media Relations Team, on 020 7391 2223, email pressoffice@rnib.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Further information on the new rights
1. The regulation will come into force in 2013, two years after publication of the text in the Official Journal of the European Union.
2. Member States will not be able to postpone the implementation of the following minimum rights, applicable for all bus and coach journeys.
- a right to transport
- a right to accessible travel information before and during the journey
- access to a complaint handling mechanism with independent national bodies to enforce the regulation and where appropriate issue penalties
- a right to compensation for damaged wheelchairs or other assistive equipment
- general information about passenger rights in terminals and online.
3. Member States will be able to postpone the obligation on bus operators to organise mandatory disability awareness training for all drivers for five years (so until 2018).
4. For journeys of 250 km or more disabled passengers will be entitled to free assistance both at terminals and on board. There will also be provision for free transport for accompanying people where this is necessary. In order to get this assistance, passengers will be required to give travel companies notice of travel 36 hours in advance. Member States may postpone the implementation of the new rights for long journeys.
5. The full text of the regulation is available here: http://bit.ly/fjadOj
6. The UK government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in June 2009.