Translink launches new Access Guide – Important travel advice for passengers with disabilities
24 August 2010
Transport Minister Conor Murphy today launched Translink’s new Access Guide, that provides travel advice specifically for passengers with disabilities and older people who may find using public transport difficult.
Transport Minister Conor Murphy MP MLA recently launched Translink’s new Access Guide, developed in partnership with the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), that provides travel advice specifically for passengers with disabilities and older people who may find using public transport difficult.
Speaking at the launch in Europa Buscentre, the Minister said:
“I welcome the publication of this Access Guide by Translink which will contribute to reducing the barriers people with disabilities often face and assist them to plan their journeys with confidence on public transport.
“This new guide supports my Department’s aim to have an accessible transport system that enables older people and people with disabilities to participate more fully in society, enjoy greater independence and experience a better quality of life.”
Translink Group Chief Executive Catherine Mason said the new guide highlights ongoing improvement measures being made across the organization:
“Over recent years new vehicles, stations and better passenger information has meant more services are more accessible for everyone thanks to investment by the Minister and his Department. We hope customers will find this new guide very useful for planning or making a journey as they can see in advance what accessibility features are available in terms of vehicles and facilities.
“This new guide follows the completion of a £17 million investment programme to upgrade stations and halts across the NI Railways network in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). We have also recently started a 60 week DDA upgrade programme across our bus stations.
“In addition to this, all new buses and trains are fully accessible and currently 91% of Metro vehicles and 67% of Ulsterbus vehicles meet accessibility standards. We have also continued to invest in our people and passenger information.
“We have worked closely with the Inclusive Mobility Transport Advisory Council (IMTAC) on the development of this new guide to ensure it meets the needs of passengers with disabilities and as such we hope it will encourage more people to choose the bus and train as their preferred way to travel,” said Mrs Mason.
Frank Caddy, Chairperson of Imtac, said "Imtac welcomes the publication of Translink’s Access Guide. The Guide is another positive development in improving access to bus and rail services here for disabled people building on the recent investment in new buses, trains and the upgrading of stations and halts. The Guide will help to ensure that more disabled people can get the right information and have the confidence to choose to use public transport in the future. The Access Guide also represents another example of the positive commitment from Translink to working directly with disabled people when developing and improving services."
Translink’s new Access Guide is available at www.translink.co.uk and from bus and rail stations. Copies in large print, Braille and audio tape format can be requested from the Translink contact centre or 028 9066 6630 or Typetalk 18001 028 9066 6630.
