Accessibility has been the subject of two recently-published reports. We take a look at some of the key points raised
The topic of accessibility and inclusion has cropped up quite a few times in the pages of CBW recently, not least in a number of features about training and helping drivers and other staff members to deal with people who have specific accessibilty needs, chiefly (though far from solely) those in wheelchairs for whom physical access to vehicles is often difficult.
Two recent reports have highlighted the need for better accessibility; recently published was a review into accessibility and inclusivitiy of buses and coaches based on data gained from a survey carried out for the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2024, whilst the Transport Committee’s report, entitled ‘Access Denied,’ further sets out the challenges that are faced by disabled travellers.
The DfT’s report aimed to fill gaps in existing research evidence, particularly with respect to certain health conditions and impairments, and coach use, and to deepen understanding of this area. A number of focus groups explored disabled bus and coach users’ positive and negative experiences and what contributed to these, with further insight gained from accompanied coach journeys which provided in-depth, in-the-moment insights into experiences of coach travel.
Overall findings were that disabled people reported challenges across all stages of their journeys by coach and bus, with improvements required for stops, stations and vehicles. Basic provision, such as seating, shelters and timetables at bus stops and functional boarding aids for vehicles, were found to not always be available and have a pronounced impact on user experiences of bus and coach, and a consequential impact on confidence, which other research has shown plays a key role in frequency of use of bus. Naturally, confidence was found to be higher among frequent users, whilst those less confident with using the bus, often due to anxiety, or who found it physically exhausting, said they were less likely to travel this way.
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