Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Deferred
Mandate Great British Railways to prioritise accessibility in future staffing level and location decisions.
Recommendation
The presence of staff is often a crucial determinant of the ability of disabled people to travel. Ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways and nationalisation of operating companies, the Department must be prepared to intervene where necessary to ensure that changes to staffing levels on the rail network do not have the effect of reducing access and inclusion. When legislating for the creation of Great British Railways, it must take steps to ensure that that body gives accessibility appropriate weight in future decision-making about the number, roles and location of staff. (Recommendation, Paragraph 87) The burden on individuals
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the important role of staff for disabled travellers and highlights existing requirements. It defers specific actions to future initiatives like the Accessibility Roadmap, the forthcoming Railways Bill (which will propose an accessibility duty for a new watchdog), and design work for GBR over the next 12-18 months.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Department understands the important role that staff play in providing face-to-face services on the railways, especially to those who may need more support. Looking forward we want to see staff roles evolve, where appropriate, to meet changing passenger needs and behaviour. Enabling staff to be more agile will enhance customer support and better provide passengers with reassurance. Train and station operators are already required by their operating licences to establish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy (ATP), which must set out how they will assist disabled people. The ATP, and any subsequent changes, must be approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). Ahead of the creation of GBR, the Accessibility Roadmap will outline measures and initiatives that will contribute to our overarching aim of independent access for all passengers. The forthcoming Railways Bill will also create a new passenger watchdog. In the public consultation we proposed it would have an explicit duty on accessibility by monitoring how services are delivered to disabled passengers and advocating improvements where issues arise. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published later this year. There will also be focused work on the design of GBR over the next 12–18 months which will establish its priorities for accessibility.