Chamber and committees

Petitioner submission of 24 June 2021

PE1866/B - Introduce legislation to improve bus travel for wheelchair users

It would appear the issue currently making it a problem for some wheelchair users lies in paragraph five of the Scottish Government’s submission. Given that, it would appear that currently the choice is with the bus operators, which is in line with the service being provided.

The Scottish Government says that both forward and rear facing spaces are provided in the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR). The only time I've really known a bus to have forward facing to be provided is an occasion where the operator has a coach on a route.

On the majority of local and regional bus routes, it seems to be the only option is rear-facing space for wheelchair users. It wouldn't surprise me if this was looked into in more detail if the number for rear facing wheelchair spaces on buses was as high as 90% or even higher. It seems to be the norm, the default if you like, for bus companies to choose buses where a wheelchair user is required to face backwards.

Personally, I don’t think that the choice should be with the bus operators and this would resolve this issue.

In paragraph four the Scottish Government states that the regulations require “buses and coaches carrying over twenty-two passengers on local or scheduled routes to incorporate features such as a ramp, wheelchair space and lift to enable disabled people to travel safely and in comfort.”

I dispute that these are being enforced as, from experience for myself and I'm sure many others, the journey simply isn't in comfort if you are feeling—

1. travel sick from facing backwards and
2. uncomfortable from a dignity point of you facing all other passengers on board.

I hope that the Going Further national framework that the Scottish Government mentions will make a difference someday

Is there any time frame for this?

I'd hope this would seek to resolve this issue and more even with train access as with trains currently you need to book assistants anywhere between 2hrs and 24hrs prior to journey. Again, challenging at times.

Is there currently anything that the Scottish government can do as these types of issues are affecting disabled people NOW.