Transport Briefing Paper

TRANSPORT BRIEFING PAPER

Introduction

In an ideal world all public transport would be accessible to all people. Unfortunately this is not the case. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief account of transport issues in Fife and the effects on disabled people. How accessible is Fife's public transport and what alternative accessible transport is available in Fife? Finally, this paper will make clear the position of FIDN on transport.

Stagecoach and Scotrail are the main providers of public transport in Fife: Stagecoach

Stagecoach accessible buses are limited. There are very few wheelchair accessible buses in service on Fife routes. In fact the only accessible buses in Fife operate out of the Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath depots.

Scotrail

In order for rail services to be accessible to disabled people, both railway station and train need to be accessible. Fife has a number of stations throughout the area, many of which are unmanned, which in itself presents access problems. For specific access on stations contact Scotrail or the FIDN office where some information on Fife stations is held. All Scotrail trains now carry ramps, which in theory makes them accessible to wheelchair users. In practice, however, if you require any assistance or you wish to use the ramps on trains, then notice must be given 24 hours prior to travelling. This being the case, independent travel is not a reality.

Taxis

Another useful form of public transport is taxis. They take you from door to door, which is often the service many disabled people require. Fife Council's Taxicard scheme does offer people who qualify for the scheme subsidised taxi travel (around 40 return journeys with a £2 subsidy). This scheme is limited by the fact that by far the majority of taxis in Fife are not accessible and the journeys are limited, so people save the vouchers for essential journeys such as doctor and hospital visits. Thus other activities are neglected and social isolation prevails.

Dial-A-Ride

In addition to Stagecoach, Scotrail and taxi services, Dial-A-Ride is a service, which provides home to town centre travel. The scheme is open to anyone who holds a Fife Mobility Card. This scheme fulfils a shopping need but many people have no other option open to them.

There are other Community Transport Schemes in operation in Fife including Mobus which provides a valuable service but it can be expensive and notice must be given in advance.

It is fair to say that public transport is not meeting the needs of disabled people in Fife:

□The majority of people with a mobility impairment requiring accessible transport, are accessing the least. i.e. they are unable to get to the bus stop or train station. They require a door-to-door service, barriers to which are physical access (few accessible taxis) and financial barriers.

□Disabled people want to access a range of services: leisure, work, social activities, etc but at present public transport is concentrated on meeting the need to shop for younger disabled people, i.e. fixed routes but not the need to socialise with family and friends or to enjoy other facilities many people take for granted.

Income is a huge barrier to services for disable people. The concessionary scheme in Fife does provide free or reduced rate travel,

□charging at peak times does mean that people are either forced to pay more or are restricted to travel thus forcing people to travel at times which may not be totally suitable.

CONCLUSION

If we mention accessible transport to people they automatically think about low floor buses and black cabs or mini-buses with lifts. This is not what we are talking about. Accessible buses and taxis only go a short way to making transport accessible. Only a small number of disabled people are able to access these types of service. For transport to be fully accessible, people need to know about it, be able to get to it, be able to get on it, be able to afford it and be confident to use it (from Fife Council's Best Value Strategic Review Meeting Fife's Passenger Transport Needs Dec 2000). This criteria must be met if transport is to be accessible. For many disabled people in Fife, accessible transport means a door-to-door service.

FIDN would like to see Fife Council address the unmet travel needs of disabled people in Fife. An accessible transport system is one, which provides equality of access to everyone in the community (including all disabled people) to activities and facilities throughout the community. At present this is definitely not the case. A few accessible trains, buses and taxis do not make for an accessible transport system. Other issues must be addressed:

□Are people able to get to stations or bus stops - the majority of disabled people cannot;

□Taxis are not the answer either as in Fife we have so few accessible ones and even with the Taxicard, the cost is prohibitive;

□Are people confident about using existing public transport? Our members inform us that they are not.

FIDN see transport as a means by which disabled peoples lives could be improved by combating social isolation and giving people their independence to carry out a full life.

With thanks to Robert Hunter, Clare Pitkeathly, Bill Gray (FIDN) and Trevor Meadows (Fife Council).

FIFE INDEPENDENT DISABILITY NETWORK, WEST BRIDGE MILL, BRIDGE STREET,