EU Regulation 181/2011 came into force on 1 March 2013 and establishes certain rights for passengers when travelling by bus or coach. Much of the regulation applies to journeys greater than 250km, however the regulation does allow for a number of core rights applicable to all regular services regardless of distance. These include non-discriminatory transport conditions, access to transport for disabled and mobility impaired persons at no additional cost and also financial compensation for loss or damage to mobility equipment. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the designated National Enforcement Body for this Regulation and checks that all transport bodies comply with the Regulation. All state transport bodies publish their policies in this regard.
My Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 "Transport Access for All" which was updated in 2012, sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes. This includes making all suburban and Inter-city passenger trains, as well as urban and Intercity public transport buses/coaches accessible for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources and while more work remains to be done, significant progress has been made in recent years across all modes.
Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems such as the Luas are fully accessible.
In relation to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities, the NTA funds a programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities.
Under this programme the refurbishment of 255 access ramps on buses operated by Dublin Bus is underway and will shortly be completed. I am also assured by Dublin Bus that a ramp check is included in the daily drivers first use bus check.
In relation to Iarnrod Eireann’s fleet all operational rolling stock is internally accessible with the use of a portable wheelchair ramp at all stations. I understand that if assistance is required Iarnród Eireann will ensure that a member of staff is available to help a wheelchair user once they receive 24 hours’ notice of the times of both the inward and outward journeys. In the future procurement of new trains the technical specifications will include the incorporation of an automatic wheelchair ramp.
I am committed to the on-going improvement of access to public transport for persons with disabilities and will continue to provide capital funds for this purpose as part of the relevant capital plans.
