Thank you for your support in 2017
Transport for All
It’s difficult to believe how fast this year has gone. Together with our inspiring and incredible members we’ve done...
It’s difficult to believe how fast this year has gone. Together with our inspiring and incredible members we’ve done so much to open up London’s Transport for Disabled and older people:
Right to Ride Victory
In January, TfA member Doug Paulley won his case at the Supreme Court over priority access to the wheelchair space on buses. Doug said: “I am profoundly grateful for all the support TfA members have given the campaign, the case and to me personally. I shall never forget it.
Success on Transport for London (TfL)’s Complaints system
After TfA member Chris Stapleton complained more than 60 times to TfL about the same recurring problem, and saw no improvements, we launched a campaign for a transparent, effective complaints system. As a result, TfL took positive steps to address this issue.
Campaign Victory
Following our campaign for mobility scooters to be allowed on trains, many train companies have changed their policies. Only Northern Rail have not answered our calls and we must put pressure on them in 2018.
Protecting the Taxicard scheme
In March, TfL ran a Taxicard consultation which clearly planned to move from a door-to-door to a kerb to kerb system; which would have stopped many Disabled and older people from travelling. We’ve put pressure on stakeholders and it seems that they’ve withdrawn their original plan.
Rail Access Now Campaign
In April, we launched our rail access campaign with an action at London Bridge protesting against Southern Rail’s decision to withdraw Turn-Up-and-Go services. We also organised eight simultaneous protests at all stations in London affected by the Access for All cuts. These demonstrations have been a huge success, thanks to our members, and have received widespread coverage in the media.
General Election
Following the surprise announcement of a General Election, we organised a campaign pressuring the major parties to sign up to our four transport access pledges and successfully encouraged them to commit to transport access in their manifestos.
Disability Equality Training (DET)
In 2018, we delivered many DET sessions, mostly with our partner Inclusion London. London Underground’s senior managers were given DET for the first time. We also trained a small number of Uber drivers and organised user-led forums for Gett. DET is an effective way to change staff attitudes towards their Disabled and older customers.
Journeys inspire MPs to take action on access
Following the General Election, we ran our #GetYourMPOnBoard campaign, inviting newly elected MPs on a trip. These trips give them first-hand experience in the issues faced by Disabled and older people travelling. TfA members from Lewisham and Deptford, Brentford and Isleworth, Ilford North, and Harrow East have already taken their MP on a trip. Many MPs took action following the trip. Vicky Foxcroft MP said “After today’s experience I will be writing to the Department for Transport to ask that they commit to making more stations accessible to Disabled people”.
Bus Day of Action
In 2017, we organised several forums giving you the opportunity to question transport decision makers on the issues you face. In August, the Bus Day of Action urged TfL to take positive action for access. As a result, they announced the creation of a new leaflet to better explain wheelchair priority procedures to bus drivers.
Mayor’s Transport Strategy
We’ve done a lot to influence this strategy, which will shape London transport for many years to come. We collected views from members; responded the consultation; gave evidence to the London Assembly Transport Committee at City Hall; and invited the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, to hear your feedback.
50 organisations signed TfA’s letter to the DfT
Transport for All together with RNIB, Muscular Dystrophy UK and 48 other organisations across the Disability and transport sectors sent a letter to the Department for Transport urging them to restore vital Access for All rail projects.
We said no to Shared Space
We protested outside Parliament – together with the National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) – urging the Government to prevent these schemes from turning our high streets and public spaces into no go zones for Disabled and older people.
Advice Line
This year again, we have been helping hundreds of Disabled and older people to get around London and supporting them with transport issues. We recently launched a free face-to-face advice drop-in, with a plan to roll it out to the rest of London.
Don’t forget that our Advice Line is here to help you, if you have any transport related issues.
- Tel: 020 7737 2339 (option 1)
- Text: 07984 755 894
- Email: contactus@transportforall.org.uk
- Address: Transport for All, 336 Brixton Rd, London, SW9 7AA.
Take action in 2018 – join our inspiring community of members
If you’re not already a member, join the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to improving transport services for Disabled and older people.
For many, accessible transport can mean the difference between work and unemployment, a lifeline to friends and family or isolation.
2018 comes with its challenges and opportunities for us:
- Pedestrianisation of Oxford Street – how can we ensure right of access for Disabled and older people when buses are removed?
- Improving bus services and making sure bus companies and their drivers are doing their job properly;
- Holding the Mayor to account regarding his Transport Strategy;
- Improving Taxicard, Dial-a-Ride and Blue Badge and campaigning to ensure that people with invisible impairments are eligible.
Together we can meet these challenges. We must respond to these challenges!
You can help by becoming a member of Transport for All and/or donating today*.
The membership is £10 a year. We understand that for some people the fee could be a significant cost, but your contribution would be a huge help to us. The fee and any donation will support Transport for All’s helpline in its effort to support Disabled and older people who struggle to travel in London every day. It will also support our campaigns, which champion the rights of Disabled and older people to travel with freedom and independence in our great city.
If you would like to become a member but cannot afford the £10 fee then please do contact us. We will never exclude anyone who is unable to pay.
We look forward to your continued support in 2018; and we really hope that you will join our inspiring community of members.
Yours sincerely,
Transport for All
