Asked by: Heidi Allen (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the level of discrimination faced by disabled people when travelling by taxi.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
The Disabled Persons’ Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) have a statutory duty to advise Ministers on the transport needs of disabled passengers, and we have discussed with them the challenges that disabled people face when using taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).
Ministers are considering the recommendations made in the report of the Chair of the Task and Finish Group on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing, including those intended to improve accessibility. A Government response will be issued in due course.
We also intend to commission research to understand more clearly the experience of passengers who have been refused service by taxi and PHV drivers on account of using a wheelchair or assistance dog, and the levers available to Government to help eliminate such unacceptable behaviour.
Asked by: Heidi Allen (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions his Department has had with bus companies to ensure that the required level of disability awareness training is undertaken by all bus drivers.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani - Minister of State (Minister for Europe)
Bus and coach operators must ensure that drivers subject to the EU Regulation 181/2011 requirement to complete disability awareness training receive appropriate instruction. As part of the 2018 annual bus statistics survey, we sought data on whether operators were compliant with these new duties, and results will be published on January 30th. We also intend to publish best practice guidance on disability awareness training in the spring.
We are committed to developing a framework for the monitoring and enforcement of relevant training requirements, and continue to liaise with Regulators and the bus industry to ensure that operators understand fully their responsibilities.
Asked by: Heidi Allen (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps are being taken to ensure that baggage handlers at UK airports have the required training to handle wheelchairs.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government seeks to ensure equal access to air travel for all. Through the recently launched Aviation 2050 consultation the Department is considering a new Passenger Charter that will raise standards and enhance services for passengers, including disabled people and those with reduced mobility. This includes increased uptake of disability awareness training programmes for ground handlers, and addressing the difficulties faced when stowing wheelchairs in the hold of a plane.
Asked by: Heidi Allen (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of Govia Thamelink Railway's preparations for the winter timetable update starting on 10 December 2018.
Answered by Andrew Jones
To supplement the separate internal assurance processes within Train Operators and Network Rail, since May, industry has established new assurance processes to look at timetable implementation on a network wide basis. This has included setting up a cross industry Programme Management Office (PMO) within Network Rail to carry out this role. They have worked with industry as a whole to develop an informed view of risks, including those related to infrastructure, operator readiness and staffing.
As well as the industry PMO processes set out above, GTR has also remained subject to Industry Readiness Board assessment. The Department has had ongoing discussions with GTR about their readiness to deliver in December, including senior weekly calls with the operator to discuss progress.
While no option is risk-free, the industry’s approach to the December 2018 timetable offers the greatest possible level of operational confidence. The Department is taking the implementation of the timetable extremely seriously and will be monitoring performance closely.