Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve the accessibility of railways, buses, coaches and trams for small children.

The Government is committed to making the transport system accessible to all users, including small children. The draft Accessibility Action Plan, published for consultation last year, set out a number of steps we will be taking across transport modes.

The Equality Act 2010 makes provision for operators of public transport services to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate passengers who share protected characteristics, which include age and pregnancy & maternity.

Mainline trains must comply with standards for vehicle design to make them more accessible to persons of reduced mobility, which includes babies and children. Currently 78% of the mainline rail fleet meet these standards, and work is underway to improve this. In addition, 75% of rail journeys are covered by step-free stations, while stations are also covered by design standards that take into account persons of reduced mobility.

Buses, taxis and private hire vehicles provide an invaluable service for many people, and it is essential that they meet the needs of those wishing to use them. Some bus operators have invested in vehicles with additional space for buggies and prams, beyond the minimum accessibility requirements, and we encourage taxi licensing authorities to ensure that vehicle fleets work for a range of passengers.