The National Centre for Accessible Transport’s (ncat) Accessible Transport Policy Commission is currently conducting its first ever inquiry to produce a Policy and Regulation Roadmap for accessible transport in the UK. The Commission’s parliamentarians have chaired five online roundtables over the past few months, hosting specific sessions on England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and nationwide regulations. 

The evidence sessions featured a panel of speakers and a wider discussion with disabled people, disabled people’s organisations, transport professionals and policy makers. Along with our call for evidence, the findings of the evidence sessions will inform recommendations for national and devolved governments, and the future work of the National Centre for Accessible Transport.  

Wales (17 September 2024) – chaired by Baroness Grey-Thompson 

The roundtable on transport accessibility in Wales kicked off the evidence gathering stage of the inquiry. The panel included representatives from the Disability Rights Taskforce Travel Group, Gig Buddies Cymru, and Transport for Wales (TfW). 

The participants highlighted that unpredictable and infrequent public transport provision, combined with lack of accessible taxis, lead to social isolation among disabled people, especially in rural areas. Participants emphasised that journey information must be centralised, multimodal, and compatible with assistive technologies. 

Lack of public awareness around disability, and insufficient training among transport professionals were also highlighted as priority issues. Regulatory shortcomings, such as gaps in licensing standards, fragmented complaint processes, and inadequate co-production with disabled people were also highlighted as exacerbating barriers to disabled people’s access to public transport.  

"How can you have an accessible transport system when there is not a safe road crossing from railway station to the bus stop, when there is not accessible audio and visual information on board on all if our trains and buses, and when we've got so much to do to raise awareness among staff and transport providers so that we can plan our journeys and be a part of society and contribute to everyday life." 

-Andrea Gordon, Chair of the Disability Rights Taskforce Working Group on Travel

England (19 September 2024) – chaired by Lord Shinkwin

The second roundtable addressed transport accessibility in England. The panel included representatives from Transport for All, Bus Users UK, and the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT). 

The key barriers identified by the participants included inaccessible interchanges, lack of accessible and multi-modal journey information, and the cost of public transport. 

Participants emphasised the importance of coproduction that involves disabled people throughout the design, planning, and implementation of transport systems to make sure they are accessible and avoid wasting resources. 

Overall, participants called for co-production with disabled people, national frameworks for accessibility of transport services, and stricter enforcement of existing regulations to ensure compliance and accountability.

Scotland (14 November 2024) – chaired by Richard Baker MP

The roundtable on transport accessibility in Scotland included panel members from RNIB Scotland and Lothian Buses. Participants identified several key barriers to transport for disabled people living in Scotland, such as inconsistent infrastructure, a lack of accessible rural transport options and taxis, and unreliable journey information. 

Infrastructure issues included poorly designed kerbs, bus stops, and a lack of lifts on the Glasgow subway system. RNIB Scotland outlined their "Swap-With-Me" programme that aims to foster mutual understanding with bus drivers being given simulation glasses and blind and partially sighted passengers sitting in the driver’s seat. 

There was consensus among the participants on the need for co-production, standardised training, and stronger enforcement of accessibility legislation.

Northern Ireland (21 November 2024) – chaired by Sorcha Eastwood MP

The roundtable on transport accessibility in Northern Ireland included a panel made up of representatives from the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), Disability Action Northern Ireland, and Consumer Council. 

Speakers highlighted systemic neglect of rural transport needs, insufficient funding for community transport, and poor connectivity between transport modes as key barriers to end-to-end journeys. Attendees pointed out that inaccessible bus networks and taxis were important causes of isolation among disabled people, especially in rural areas. 

Some recent progress such as inclusive design on Belfast’s Glider Rapid Transit system and improved accessibility at airports were celebrated while acknowledging their limitations. 

Overall, attendees called for co-production with disabled people, investment in strategic transport infrastructure, and legislative reforms to improve disabled people’s access to transport. 

UK-wide regulation (26 November 2024) – chaired by Baroness Brinton

The final roundtable of the inquiry was on regulation across the UK. The panel for the session included representatives from Office for Rail and Road (ORR), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). 

The evidence session highlighted significant gaps in transport accessibility regulation, with regulatory bodies having insufficient powers to fine, lack of accurate data, and fragmented legislative coverage, particularly in maritime and aviation sectors. There was a call for strengthening the Equality Act and putting further mechanisms in place to be able to hold private transport operators accountable. 

Participants emphasised the importance of collaboration within the transport sector and between transport operators and policymakers, as well as mandatory co-production with disabled people. 

The overall discussion highlighted the urgency of addressing systemic issues to allow for stronger accountability and co-production in transport policy and delivery.