What are the key elements to make public transport accessible?
On the 18th February 2013, Dublin Bus announced that the bus fleet is now 100% accessible. All buses now cater for a much wider range of users including people with mobility impairments, older people and passengers with buggies. Some of the new accessible features of the bus fleet include:
- bilingual passenger information signage in the upper and lower saloons which announce the next stop;
- clearer signage to identify the priority space for wheelchair users;
- improvements to signage at the front seating area that requests that these seats be prioritised for people with a disability, older, pregnant or have difficulty standing.
This is great news for all users of the Dublin Bus service and will enable more people to participate in society where previously they may not have been able to.
However it is important to recognise that making the fleet accessible is only element of making public transport accessible. This article addresses other elements that are important to ensure all parts of a person’s journey are fully accessible for everybody.
It is important to note that a persons journey starts when they first start to plan their trip, the journey ends once they reach their final destination. During the journey there are a number of barriers that members of the public could face (even before leaving their house). The following are a number of key elements that must be addressed to ensure public transport is accessible:
- Accessible information provision: The provision of accessible information is important for everybody throughout all stages of the journey. For example people need adequate information before they leave their home to set out on their journey, when at a public transport stop, during their trip when they are on the vehicle and when they have reached their destination.
- Accessible Ticketing: It is really important to ensure that someone can buy their ticket easily and independently. This can be achieved by ensuring the ticket machines and/or the ticket counters have been designed with accessibility in mind.
- Accessible customer services and travel assistance: Part of the journey might require staff assistance or involve a person dealing with a customer services representative. Ensuring the customer support staff have received adequate disability awareness training is one way of making the customer service experience fully accessible.
- Making public transport buildings accessible: Access to the building, station or airport forms a key part of a person’s journey. Ensuring that adequate access within these buildings is provided is an important consideration to make the public transport experience accessible.
- Making the external environment accessible: Considering accessibility in the design and location of public transport stops is critical in ensuring that the needs of all members of society are catered for.
If you would like further information on how to make public transport accessible, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01-4151285 or [email protected].
