New Labour Party Policy Regarding Trains
Transport for All
The Labour Party today announces plans to guarantee a guard on every train, ending the practice of Driver Only Operations...
The Labour Party today announces plans to guarantee a guard on every train, ending the practice of Driver Only Operations and increasing access for disabled older passengers, and Transport for All have been quoted in support of the policy. See below for Transport for All’s statement, or download the attached PDF document. Word version available here.
Transport for All credited with influencing new Labour Party policy designed to end Driver Only Operations on trains
The Labour Party today announces plans to guarantee a guard on every train, ending the practice of Driver Only Operations and increasing access for disabled and older passengers, and Transport for All have been quoted in support of the policy. Our sustained campaigning for a Turn Up and Go system on the rail network, reflecting the London Underground model, has kept this high on the agenda and we are pleased to see a commitment to access in such a tangible and effective way. We will continue to support our members’ needs by influencing and supporting such policies. This is however only one step in the progress needed to reduce the barriers for disabled people so we encourage all policy-makers to adopt a cohesive and sustained approach to galvanise a sea change in who transport is designed and provided for. Alongside today’s proposal we want to see compulsory Disability Equality Training for all staff, increased investment in step-free access and a commitment to level boarding across the UK.
To be able to spontaneously and confidently access public transport is key to the lives of disabled people. At Transport for All we have long been calling for a Turn Up and Go service on Britain’s railways to give disabled people the same freedom that everyone else enjoys. Having a member of staff on every train with responsibility for assisting passengers goes a long way towards providing this service. Disabled passengers are regularly left on trains or given incorrect assistance, putting their safety at risk. This proposed service will give disabled passengers, indeed all passengers, the confidence to travel independently knowing that support is available on board, increasing their well-being and supporting the development of a safer, fairer travelling experience.
We need to know that disabled and older people’s rights to travel safely and independently are on the agenda for all policy-makers and today’s statement is a step in the right direction. We have spoken directly with the team who have developed this policy and are proud to see how closely it responds to the years of campaigning we have been doing in this area. We encourage all political parties to respond to the urgent need for reform on the public transport network so disabled and older people can travel safely and independently.
Kirsty Hoyle, CEO
