Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 1

Written Answers. - Transport Accessibility.

Tony Gregory

Question:

54 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will draw to the attention of Irish Rail and Bus Éireann the need to ensure that trains and buses are accessible to the disabled, particularly those persons in wheelchairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6240/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I wish to assure the Deputy and the House of my commitment to securing improved access to public transport for people with mobility handicaps, including wheelchair users. There is at present an Inter-Departmental Transport Accessibility Committee which is chaired by my Department. Its primary objective is to secure such improvements in accessability to all modes of public transport as can be implemented within the resources to public transport providers and other relevant bodies. Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath are represented on the committee and participate fully in its work.

As a result of initiatives taken by my Department through the committee, there have been considerable improvements in public transport access facilities for people with mobility handicaps.

In so far as rail services are concerned, it is now Iarnród Éireann's policy that all new rail vehicles will be accessible to people with disabilities. DART trains are wheelchair-accessible as are the new Arrow railcars, which also have wheelchair-accessible toilets. The new carriages for the Dublin-Belfast service will also have this facility, while the existing Intercity trains all have at least one dedicated area for wheelchair users in the dining cars. All major railway terminals and the majority of mainline and DART stations are wheelchair-accessible and it is company policy that all new stations and any major refurbishment of existing stations should make provisions for the disabled.

As regard bus services, both Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann endeavour to obtain the most accessible and user-friendly vehicles available on a costeffective basis. Both companies in replacing their urban fleets are guided by the recommended specifications of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DIPTAC), a UK statutory body which advises on the needs and requirements of the mobility impaired. Bus Éireann have also acquired one hundred and thirty improved coaches for their Expressway network which include a facility whereby the front of the coach may be lowered to facilitate access.

Wheelchair users present the greatest accessibility challenge to bus operators, the main problem being the lack of affordable, operationally-proven and cost-effective wheelchair-accessible buses. In this connection, the introduction of more than 90 wheelchair-accessible taxis in the Dublin area represents a significant step towards providing a flexible, door-to-door facility corresponding to the particular needs of wheelchair users. At the same time, Bus Átha Cliath, with EU funding under the Horizon programme, hope to be in a position to begin a pilot wheelchair-accessible service operated by small-capacity low-floor vehicles between Clontarf and Finglas in the near future. The operation of the pilot scheme will be monitored and assessed by the interDepartmental committee as part of its ongoing programme to maximise the accessibility of public transport infrastructure and services.