I thought people might be interested in this.  I think inaccessible
transport is a big problem, although there are some good points here.

Catherine

From July's Disability Now

#9  10 News focus
          The city limits

The Government wants us all to use public transport more, but is that really
possible at the moment? A team of intrepid DN reporters take a look at the
capital's buses, trains and tubes

Improving public transport is one of the Government's major policy targets
and
access is part of it. DN sent a team of investigators out to see how easy it
is
to ride London's public transport.

We looked, in particular, at three new services which are  supposed to be
accessible: "kneeling" buses, the extension to London Underground's
"step-free"
Jubilee Line and the express train to Heathrow airport from Paddington.

Wheelchair user Christina Domingo tried one of the kneeling buses on the 43
route, which runs from north London to London Bridge station.

Christina uses an adapted car and had only been on a bus once before. She
boarded the 43 at Colney Hatch Lane.

"When the bus pulled up, it was not close enough to the kerb," she said.
"When
the driver saw me he told me to wait while he got closer. The ramp was steep
and I had to get another passenger to help me. Once on board I had to
manoeuvre
my chair into the space provided for wheelchairs, which was difficult
because
there was a post in the way."

There were other snags. "When I got off the bus, I asked one of the
passengers
to help me down. But to operate the ramp, the driver had to close the doors
after the other passengers had got off. Drivers should tell people helping
wheelchair users off the bus that this will happen."

Even so, Christina said she liked using the bus: "I would use it again, but
not
on a regular basis for work."

Wheelchair user Michelle Daley tried to check out the new section of the
Jubilee Line which runs from Stratford East to the Millennium Dome.

"I went to Stratford East twice and tried to take the lift to the platform,"
she said. "On each occasion I was told the lift was not working. I was told
I
could be carried upstairs by staff, but I refused."

Gioya Steinke had a better experience on the Heathrow to Paddington Express.
She is registered blind.

"We made our way to the train via two escalators," she said. "There is a
level
entry to the train, but there is a small gap that might snare a white cane.
When we returned to Heathrow we used the lifts. They are a fair walk away
but
are on level ground with well-lit walkways. The lifts are large and have
'speaks' and bleeps."

Gioya was accompanied by her husband but says she would be happy about going
alone. The journey takes 15minutes and costs o10 each way.

DN's Dan Batten and two friends decided to try their luck with a taxi card
cab
to get them to the West End for a night out.

"We called the number, only to be told that we couldn't get a cab for three
hours," said Dan. "Heaven help any disabled person who dares to go out on
impulse."

The three decided to try a black cab instead and they managed to hail an
accessible one with a ramp inside 10 minutes.

"The drivers were fine," Dan said, "and we didn't have any trouble getting a
suitable cab late at night. But it did cost us o10 each way."

Although the kneeling bus and the Jubilee Line do not yet come up with the
goods, a London Transport spokesperson promised that things would improve.
The
Jubilee Line lifts will be operating soon, and London Transport is urging
local
authorities to adjust the levels of kerbs.


Tell us about your experiences  of transport and any ideas you have for
improving it.


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