Make transport more disabled friendly, EU told

Date: 15/05/03

By Martin Banks

THE EU has been urged to do more to improve access to public transport for the estimated one-in-four EU citizens who suffer from disability.

The call, by the International Association of Public Transport, is partly aimed at boosting awareness of the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities.

There are more than 37 million people registered as disabled in the EU, but the association believes that up to 25 of the population may have some degree of reduced mobility, either temporarily or permanently.

"Older citizens, pregnant women, those travelling with babies or young children in prams or buggies, or those carrying heavy bags or suitcases. When you think about it like this we all are disabled at some point in time, so could all benefit from transport that is fully accessible," said the association's General Secretary Hans Rat.

"We are not just talking about a 'fringe' or a minority market. To ignore this issue would be to miss out on a substantial sector of the market for public transport."

The association, which has 2,500 members in 80 countries, cites examples of 'good practice' of public transport accessibility in four EU cities - Grenoble, Prague, Göteborg and Liverpool.

The French Alpine city of Grenoble recorded an increase of more than 23 in the proportion of wheelchair passengers using one of its accessible bus lines between 1999-2001. During this period, travel time was reduced by 20 through a combination of improved access and bus priority measures.

The increase in passengers witnessed in Grenoble is mirrored by the experience of the majority of bus companies, according to a study carried out by the association.

It found that two-thirds of the companies that introduced low-floor accessible vehicles said the increase in comfort and ease-of-use had led to higher ridership, not only for people with impaired mobility but also by those without.

Rat said: "People with reduced mobility are both our customers and our employees, so there is a business case for the public transport sector to be actively involved in improving their economic potential, mobility and employability.

"The benefits for the economy as a whole are also clear - helping people with impaired mobility get to work with ease, when they might otherwise not be able to do so, adds to the productive workforce and increases their income and spending capacity."

He adds: "Clearly, there are costs associated with creating a fully accessible public transport system.

"But it must be remembered there are benefits to be reaped from the improved quality and increased use of public transport."

The EU is being called upon to do more to make public transport in Europe disable-friendly.