London SW1A 0AA
By email onlyDear Mr Mearns, Rail staffing and accessibility
From: Baroness Falkner Chairwoman, EHRCOur ref: 1151Mearns
4 January 2023
Thank you for your letters of 3 November highlighting concerns about the closure of ticket offices across the rail network, a further extension of driver-only operation and the potential impact of these policies on the accessibility of the rail network for disabled and elderly people.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has a long-standing commitment to improving access to transport for disabled people.
We know that, for many people, public transport provides an essential and sometimes the only means of getting to school or work. It is a critical gateway to opportunity and an important component of the Government’s own levelling up strategies
We therefore share your concerns that changes to how some rail services operate are making rail travel more inaccessible We have received a number of reports about changes in staffing arrangements at stations and on trains, and allegations that operators are unable to provide reasonable adjustments for disabled travelers, as required by the Equality Act 2010. This includes rail services that are under contractual obligation via a National Rail contract with the Secretary of State for Transport.
equalityhumanrights.com
We have various regulatory tools to use in response to concerns, such as those raised in your letter. In this case, we have written to senior officials at the Department for Transport and to the Chief Executive of the Office of Rail and Road to remind them of their responsibilities under the public sector equality duty. This includes thinking about the equality implications of decisions, monitoring impact and taking action to ensure that rail services are accessible for everyone. We will not hesitate to use our other regulatory tools such as our enforcement powers, where necessary.
We have separately been in contact with the Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority with parallel concerns about access for disabled passengers at airports. We were pleased to see that, on 13 December, the CAA called out unacceptable levels of airport accessibility performance. We will continue to work with the CAA and disabled people’s organisations to ensure progress is made.
The introduction of the new Transport Bill provides an opportunity to renew the Government’s commitment to accessible travel. We are pleased that a Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee has been established to provide expert advice, though they have raised concerns about accessibility investment and the need for deployment of staff to maximise meaningful accessibility for disabled rail users.
We have requested a meeting with the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail and Road to discuss these issues in person.
Yours sincerely,
Arndale House, The Arndale Centre
Manchester, M4 3AQ
equalityhumanrights.com
Baroness Kishwer Falkner Chairwoman
Arndale House, The Arndale Centre
Manchester, M4 3AQ
equalityhumanrights.com
Equality and Human Rights Commission