Work begins on Disabled Persons Passenger Charter

Work has commenced to develop a new Disabled Persons Passenger Charter for rail, bus, coach, taxi and private hire vehicles.

Led by the Government and disability charity Scope, the online document is intended to provide a clear explanation of disabled passengers’ rights and complaints procedures, and to help ensure they can travel with more confidence. 

The charter will collate existing information to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ of advice in one coherent and easy-to-use format. 

It follows last year’s publication of a National Disability Strategy which proposed a range of initiatives to improve journeys for disabled people, including an accessibility audit of stations and clearer visual and audible announcements. 

Rail Minister Wendy Morton said: “This practical guide will pull together disabled passengers’ rights so they understand how they can get from A to B with the dignity and ease they deserve.” 

Scope Chief Executive Mark Hodgkinson added: “Public transport should be accessible for everyone. This charter will help disabled passengers better understand their rights, the standards they should expect across the network, and how to hold providers to account when travel goes wrong.” 

Alongside the charter, government has also updated its guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces and best practice on access to pedestrian and transport infrastructure.