Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 4

Written Answers - Public Transport Accessibility.

Robert Molloy

Question:

271 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the current difficulties being experienced by people confined to wheelchairs in trying to gain access on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21168/96]

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

The introduction of public transport accessibility improvements is essentially a matter for transport operators themselves, who are aware that I am anxious that their services and infrastructure should offer the highest degree of accessibility to people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, having regard to the resources at their disposal.

I am happy to say that very considerable progress in this area has been made on the railway. The DART is the most accessible form of public transport in the country. Trains can be accessed directly from platforms and the carriages have wide doors and a large area to accommodate wheelchairs. The new Arrow diesel railcars are similarly equipped and are also fitted with wheelchair accessible toilets. As regards mainline services, Iarnród Éireann is working towards the goal of providing a dedicated space in the dining car of each InterCity train specifically designated for mobility impaired customers. The dining car was chosen because there is a dining car on all InterCity trains, there is always a staff presence, refreshments are available and a telephone is also provided nearby.

All of the major terminals and approximately 75 per cent of mainline stations are accessible to wheelchair users. Accessible toilets have also been provided at all main terminals, while at smaller locations unisex toilets accessible to wheelchair users are being provided as part of an ongoing national programme which began in 1994. The majority of DART stations are accessible and the company has continued to improve the accessibility of the systems through the addition of lifts and ramps at key locations.

It is Iarnród Éireann's policy that all new rail stations and any major refurbishment projects at existing stations together with all new rolling stock purchased will feature facilities for the mobility impaired. Iarnród Éireann recently published DART and InterCity guides for the mobility impaired which list facilities and access points for the entire Iarnród Éireann system. Special attention will also be given to the requirements of wheelchair users and other customers with mobility impairments in the design of the Light Rail system for Dublin.

Meeting the needs of customers confined to wheelchairs presents a particular problem for bus operators. An indication of progress to date and proposed future developments was given in my reply to Question No. 16 on 24 October 1996.

Mary Wallace

Question:

272 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the Omni-link bus project; if so, his Department's role in promoting such a project; and whether he will, as sole shareholder, require public service operators to operate such a project. [20760/96]

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

I presume that the Deputy is referring to Bus Atha Cliath's plans to introduce a fully integrated, wheelchair accessible bus service linking all of the main public amenities and facilities on the north-east side of the city. I have no function in relation to this proposal, which is a day-to-day matter for the boards and management of Córas Iompair Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath.

Mary Wallace

Question:

273 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether he will support in principle the creation of a college link bus service for students with disabilities which would serve UCD, DCU and Dublin based colleges; and if so, the role, if any, his Department will have in the provision of such a service. [20761/96]

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

While I naturally welcome all initiatives by transport operators to improve the accessibility of the public transport system, I have no function in relation to the provision of specialised transport services of the kind to which the Deputy refers.