Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
713. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend legislation in order that wheelchair users have a legal right to use the wheelchair spaces provided by service providers similar to the way on-street disabled parking bays are reserved for disabled persons; and if disabled spaces on buses, trains and so on can be reserved. [3972/17]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.
An accessible public transport system is of fundamental importance and improved access is one of the statutory objectives of the National Transport Authority.
Accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and newer systems such as the Luas are fully accessible. With regard to existing infrastructure, my Department funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This programme is being managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department.
In relation to reservation of spaces, reservation is possible on train and some longer-distance bus services while in the higher-frequency city bus services the system operates on a first come/first served basis although priority of space is given to wheelchair users at all times (i.e. as opposed to children's buggies).
Of course irrespective of physical and service improvements, it is a fact of life that usage can often depend on the co-operation of all passengers. There can be isolated instances where such co-operation is lacking and those instances are deeply disappointing. However, I am not of the view that the situation requires a legislative response. As the Deputy knows, legislation is a rigid framework which, in the realities of daily operations of public transport services, could give rise to a range of unforeseen or unintended consequences. There may well be a role for public information campaigns or improved signage and I can raise that with the National Transport Authority and the operators themselves.
