ORR consulting on disabled travel policies and passenger assist

Owain_Moneysaver

http://orr.gov.uk/rail/consumers/consumer-consultations/improving-assisted-travel-consultation-2018

This consultation sets out proposals to change the Disabled People's Protection Policy (DPPP) Guidance for train and station operators on how to write their policies for helping disabled people to travel by rail.

It is the culmination of the work we have undertaken so far to understand passengers' experience of this service and to develop concrete proposals that are designed to bring greater quality, consistency and reliability to the assistance available for disabled passengers.

We are consulting on proposals to:

• Increase the reliability of assistance for disabled passengers by introducing a new standardised handover process for all GB mainline stations. This will work in tandem with new arrangements to strengthen communication between stations and measures to introduce greater accountability for assistance provision.
• Improve accessible journey planning by standardising key station accessibility information on facilities, step-free access and staffing to provide a better and more accurate picture of what disabled passengers can expect at each station.
• Reduce the notice period for booking assistance, currently up to 24 hours before travel, we are consulting on three options for passengers; booking by 10pm the night before travel, booking a minimum of 6 hours before travel and booking a minimum of 2 hours before travel.
• Ensure all train companies provide compensation to passengers if they do not receive the assistance they have booked.
• Standardise and improve information for passengers including a more concise passenger leaflet focused on what to expect before travelling, at the station, on the train and if things go wrong. ORR is also recommending the Rail Delivery Group promote Assisted Travel to the people who would benefit from this service but do not currently travel by rail.
• Strengthen train and station operators’ staff training including involving disabled people in its delivery and requiring staff to have refresher training at least every two years. This would ensure disabled passengers, including those with hidden disabilities, receive a better, more consistent service from all staff whether they book assistance in advance or travel spontaneously.

K80_Black

That looks great.

I worked on the railways before I became disabled myself, and the disability awareness training was spot on. Full 2-day course, covering a range of different disabilities and how to best assist people. It was for everyone, from the train drivers to the people in booths selling tickets. I really learnt a lot - though I could tell not everyone was taking it seriously, like all training. Lets hope they continue to get better!

Owain_Moneysaver

Hah! I got five minutes on how to open the folding ramp without chopping my fingers off!

K80_Black

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Hah! I got five minutes on how to open the folding ramp without chopping my fingers off!

That's rubbish! My 'favourite' part (if I can say that?!) was all the different glasses they had to mimic the various visual impairments people had - and being led blindfolded out onto the street and across it! Petrifying for me, but helpful to see the difference you feel when being 'guided' by different means. I certainly felt more safe and secure holding someones arm than being 'shoved'.