Ian Mearns MP
Working for Gateshead
Baroness Falkner of Margravine Chair, Equality and Human Rights CommissionWindsor House
50 Victoria Street
London
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By email to: correspondence@equalityhumanrights.com
3rd November 2022
Dear Lady
Falkner,Rail staffing and accessibility
We are writing to you in light of recent reports regarding the likely widespread closure of ticket offices and a further extension of Driver Only Operation across the rail network, and the potential impact of these policies on the accessibility of the rail network for disabled and elderly people.
We are concerned that ticket office closures and an extension of DOO could lead to a destaffing of the rail network, which in turn could mean that train operators are unable to meet their duties under equalities legislation regarding access to public transport for disabled and elderly people.
As you may be aware, the potential impact of such transport policies on accessibility was recognised by the then Chair of the EHRC in 2019 in correspondence to the Chair of the Transport Select Committee in which he stated:
“
12 Regent Terrace, Gateshead, NE8 1LU House of Commons Palace of Westminster Westminster
“…the impact of ongoing transport policies remains a concern, in particular the move to driver only operated (DOO) trains, as well as reductions in staffed stations. We believe that the shift to DOO trains, with the increased likelihood of there being no second member of staff on board to assist passengers, and a decrease in staffed stations could represent a diminution of protection for disabled people, and potentially be a breach of the Equality Act 2010.”
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The Government’s Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has on numerous occasions warned the Government of the ‘toxic combination’ of DOO trains and unstaffed stations.
Given these concerns, we would be grateful if the Commission were able to investigate the potential impact of transport policies on the accessibility of the rail network and operators’ abilities to meet their equality duties.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
Ian Mearns MPBaroness Blower
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Lord Hendy KC
Lord Woodley
Rt Hon Diane Abbott MP
Apsana Begum MP
Olivia Blake MP
Richard Burgon MP
Dawn Butler MP
Ian Byrne MP
Dan Carden MP
Rosie Cooper MP
Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP
Tim Farron MP
Margaret Greenwood MP
Emma Hardy MP
Kim Johnson MP
Ian Lavery MP
Clive Lewis MP
Rebecca Long-Bailey MP
Caroline Lucas MP
Kenny MacAskill MP
Rachael Maskell MP
Andy McDonald MP