Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Inconsistent staff availability and inadequate rail infrastructure negatively impact diverse passenger groups.
Recommendation
We highlighted our concerns about the impact of the Department’s lack of progress in improving rail services and station infrastructure on various groups of people. For example, disabled passengers, as well as parents with young children, and even the many passengers and tourists carrying luggage who would like to use stations but are restricted, not just because of the condition and limitations of the infrastructure but also because there are not always staff available to operate the ramps and the lifts.29 We heard from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) that partially sighted people feel strongly that they should not have to be experts on knowing who runs which trains or staffs which stations – they consistently report that this makes a difference to their experience. The RNIB told us that staff training, digital and physical infrastructure should be as consistent as possible across the network, without passengers needing to concern themselves with which entities are responsible for different aspects of their journey.30 26 The Inclusive Transport Strategy: Achieving Equal Access for Disabled People, Department for Transport, July 2018 27 Q 58 28 Q 59 29 Q 64 30 RTP0007 12 Rail reform: The rail transformation programme 2 Making progress without legislation Improving outcomes
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and will continue to support the access for all programme, using accessibility audit data of rail stations to improve passenger information and target future investment decisions.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
3. PAC conclusion: It is unacceptable that so much of the rail network remains so difficult to access for so many people. 3. PAC recommendation: The Department should fulfil its commitment to improve access to the rail network for all who wish to use it and does not need to wait for further consultation or legislation to make improvements to station facilities and train services. It should report back to the Committee alongside the Treasury Minute on its plans and timetable for when stations and trains will be accessible to all. 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Winter 2024 3.2 Accessibility is one of the six tests the Secretary of State will measure the railways’ performance against. The department will set out next steps as soon as possible. 3.3 The department will continue to make improvements to the accessibility of the rail network. This includes continuing to support the access for all programme, which since launch has delivered accessible, step free routes at more than 250 stations and smaller accessibility improvements at over 1500 stations. 3.4 The department will also make use of the accessibility audit data of all 2,575 rail stations across Great Britain to improve passenger information on station facilities and their accessibility, and better target future investment decisions.