“TRANSPORT ACCESS FOR ALL”

Executive Summary

Introduction

This Sectoral Plan has been developed in accordance with the provisions of the Disability Act 2005 and addresses the accessibility needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments across the transport modes. It has been prepared following an extensive consultation exercise involving meetings and discussions with a wide range of groups in the sector.

The Plan sets out policy and objectives for accessible transport and defines the concept 'Transport for All'. It sets out for each area of transport covered, the specific accessibility issues relevant to those areas and the proposals of the Minister for Transport, and the agencies under his aegis, in relation to the rolling out of a comprehensive programme of accessible transport. Specific targets form an integral part of the Plan and these are identified throughout the document and are summarised in Appendix 8.

The Plan is to be reviewed every two years and amended as necessary in the light of progress made, technical advances and developments generally.

Policy

The Department of Transport's high level policy goal for accessibility is the development of accessible public transport services for the greatest number of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments in the shortest possible time, having regard to resource, technical and other constraints.

Key terms are defined in the Plan. The Plan has been prepared on the basis that it should accord with the generally accepted concept of 'Transport for All', a definition developed in consultation with the members of the Public Transport Accessibility Committee. The Department is also promoting the principle of mainstreaming accessibility across all modes of transport that operate under its aegis.

Scope of the Sectoral Plan

This Plan covers the following public transport services and related issues:

  • Bus and rail services provided by or on behalf of Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Iarnród Éireann,
  • Licensed scheduled public transport services provided by private bus operators,
  • Light rail services,
  • Proposed plans for a Metro for Dublin,
  • Taxi and Hackney services,
  • Rural Transport Services provided under the Rural Transport Initiative,
  • Air transport services,
  • Maritime passenger transport services, and
  • Parking Facilities and Driver Training.

It also deals with the Department of Transport's corporate responsibilities under Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005 dealing with access to public buildings and services, and Part 5 on public service employment.

Accessibility Measures

The Plan sets out the measures necessary to increase accessibility of the bus network over time, until the whole fleet is accessible. Similar material is provided in subsequent sections in respect of rail services, taxi and hackney services, air travel and maritime passenger transport. This is followed by a section concerned with improving the situation with regard to parking for persons with disabilities. Cross-sectoral issues in transport, such as disability awareness training, the establishment of consultative disability user groups across the transport sectors, accessibility audits, integrated ticketing, and more accessible better quality passenger information are covered in a separate section of the Plan.

Compliance and Redress Procedures

Compliance and redress procedures are essential to ensuring accessibility. This Plan, therefore, includes a commitment to ensure that all bodies or persons to which this Plan applies will have in place by end 2006 adequate procedures and structures to deal with complaints. Reporting measures on complaints, and on measures taken to address issues arising therefrom, are to be put in place. The Department will incorporate disability proofing when developing new policies or reviewing existing policies, practices and services.

Implementation of the Sectoral Plan by the Department of Transport

Implementing the Plan will be a major challenge for all concerned. The Department has appointed a senior official within the Department with specific responsibility for transport accessibility matters, has expanded the membership for the Public Transport Accessibility Committee (PTAC) which advises on accessibility matters, and is expanding its role to include monitoring of progress.

The Department will participate fully in the High Level Group on Disability within the Department of the Taoiseach which will coordinate the implementation of the various sectoral plans under the Disability Act 2005.

Implementing the Requirements of the Disability Act within the Department of Transport

The Department has established an Implementation Team for its own responsibilities under the Disability Act 2005. The Department will reflect the requirements of the Disability Act in its strategy statements and business plans. Objectives will be defined in such a way as to allow subsequent assessment as to whether or not they are achieved.