Charlotte Nichols MP’s Disabled Passenger Charter Bill has first reading

Charlotte Nichols told the House of Commons a Disabled Passenger Charter should be created to help travellers who use wheelchairs or who need other special arrangements when using buses, trains and taxis.

It comes as new figures reveal more than four in five taxis and private hire vehicles in the town cannot be used by people in wheelchairs.

Department for Transport data shows 458 vehicles were licensed to operate in Warrington at the end of March – but just 69 (15 per cent) could be used by those in wheelchairs.

Speaking in Parliament, the Warrington North MP said: “Problems or distressing circumstances can arise on all sorts of transport, from fear of being overcharged for a taxi journey, to not knowing whether a parent with a pushchair will make space for a wheelchair on the bus, to pre-booked assistance not turning up to help with disembarkation from a train.

“In each case, it is more difficult than it needs to be for a disabled traveller to look up their rights or indeed to lodge a complaint.”

The vast majority of Warrington taxis and private hire vehicles are not wheelchair friendly (Image: PA)

Ms Nichols referred to a survey by disability charity Scope, which said one-in-six disabled people had not complained about a problem they had on public transport because they did not know they had the right to.

She added that it was impossible to know if existing regulations are being properly followed by transport providers if disabled people were not complaining when they were able to.

The Labour MP read out the testimony of one traveller in a wheelchair collected by Scope, who had experienced ‘countless times’ when her mum had booked assistance that did not turn up until the last minute, causing a great deal of anxiety'.

“’On two occasions, other passengers have had to lift me in my wheelchair on and off the train because assistance never arrived.

“’This is dangerous, not only for me but for the passengers who are lifting me too. If it were not for their kindness, we would not have got home or been able to attend important appointments’.”

After appearing in the Commons, Ms Michols said: “I am delighted that my Bill on making public transport more accessible for disabled people passed its first reading in Parliament today and is one step closer to becoming law.

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“My Bill would bring together the pre-existing rules into a passenger charter for disabled people.

“This would be a simple, accessible document covering all modes of land transport and would set out exactly what disabled passengers can expect – no matter where or how they are travelling.

“Taking this step would bolster the confidence of disabled passengers in their rights, and signpost how to get recompense if they deserve it.

“Adding such transparency and accountability should also improve the services provided.

“I will continue to push the Government to adopt these measures, and ensure that disabled people have the open, accessible public transport they deserve.”

The Transport (Disabled Passenger Charter) Bill introduced by Ms Nichols will be discussed again in the Commons on December 3.