Public transport: not yet there on access

Devoted driver Helen Dolphin decides for once to give public transport the once-over, for her as a disabled traveller on a regular journey from Norwich to London

At the recent launch of the Blue Badge reforms Norman Baker MP, the Under-Secretary of State for Transport was keen to emphasise how accessible public transport now is for disabled people. Now I agree that things are definitely better, but I’d really like Mr Baker to accompany me on my next trip to to see just how “accessible” my trip really is!

The first leg of my journey is either by car or taxi. Car is much easier for me but this is only an option before 8.30am as after that the chance of finding a parking space is virtually impossible. Other rail users can use the nearby multi-storey car park but it’s too far for me to walk and like many car parks it has barrier access which means it’s totally inaccessible to me.

The next stage in my journey is boarding the train. Barriers have been installed at the station to stop people getting on without a ticket, and although this means that I can’t go through them without assistance it does make securing help onto the train easier as I don’t have to go around the station trying to find someone to put down the ramps. As I am a frequent traveller most of the rail workers at Norwich station know me and what help I need, which makes getting on the train considerably easier.

The train operator running trains to and from London is National Express. There is space for a wheelchair-user and accessible toilets in first class. Not being a wheelchair-user but still requiring an accessible loo and having an assistance dog means I still travel in first class. Most passengers, I’m pleased to say, have no problem with my dog Yancey and most of the time people don’t even know she’s there as she just sits under the table. However, it has amazed me how many people feel the need to prod her with their feet and I was told by one passenger that she shouldn’t take up so much space – in first class! Where did he think I should put Yancey, in the overhead compartment?

Once I arrive I have to hope that there is someone there to meet me. Over the years this has improved considerably and the dread that I’m going to be left stranded on the train has somewhat diminished.

After getting off the train and fighting through the barriers with the rest of the passengers I usually make my way to the taxi rank, where 100% of the taxis are accessible for wheelchair-users. Unfortunately for me I still find them really hard to get into and rely on help to clamber in. However, on a recent journey I decided instead to have a go on the London Underground.

Armed with my map of accessible tube stations I set off. Knowing that I was going on the underground I decided to leave Yancey at home as I wasn’t sure how good it would be for a dog. As it happened this was a decision I was glad I made. Sod’s law meant the day I travelled there was a reduced service so every train was crammed full of people. If I’d had Yancey with me I think she would probably have been trodden on.

For this journey I was not on my own and I don’t think I could have travelled independently. As I was standing up nobody realised how unsteady I am on my feet and I was banged and barged into like everybody else – I only remained upright by clinging to my companion for dear life. The step up onto the tube was more than I could do on my own and it was difficult to even get on with so many people.

I’m pleased to say when I asked for the seat reserved for disabled people the person in it always gave it up.

With only 60 underground stations accessible for people with mobility problems I couldn’t actually get to where I needed to, and so I had to get off several stations before my destination and hail a taxi.

I have to say I haven’t braved the underground again but I think on a quieter day when the tubes are running properly it might not be so bad.

Disappointingly, of the 45 stations that former mayor Ken Livingstone promised would be step-free by 2013, work on 22 has been deferred, while another two will only see partial improvements. Transport for London (TfL) blamed the decision on the economic downturn and the financial impact of the collapse of Tube maintenance company, Metronet.

However, some improvements are still going ahead and the number of stations offering step-free access from the platform to street level will increase to 65 in time for the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.

So Mr Baker, as you can see, public transport is certainly improving but I still think we have a long way to go until my journey to and across London could be done as easily as yours.