A new report published by Transport Scotland outlines disabled people’s travel patterns based on the findings of the Scottish Household Survey. There are a number of key findings which highlight the differences in travel for disabled people compared with non-disabled people. The report found that disabled people make fewer journeys (an average of 1.63 journeys per day vs 2.07) and travel shorter distances compared to non-disabled people (3.2km vs 4.5km). Disabled adults are more likely to use the bus than non-disabled adults (11% of journeys vs 7%), less likely to drive (42% vs 54%), and more likely to be a
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Transport Scotland has published the latest Annual Delivery Plan for Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework, a ten-year plan launched in 2016 to improve travel access for disabled people. At Disability Equality Scotland, we will be working with Transport Scotland to deliver some of the key actions featured in the Delivery Plan. This includes continued engagement with our members through our webinars and weekly polls. We will also continue  to update the Accessible Travel Hub with the latest information and guidance produced by transport providers across Scotland in order to make public transport more accessible and inclusive for disabled people. Download the
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The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) has published their Annual Report 2020-2021. The Committee provide advice on aspects of policy, legislation and practice affecting the travel needs of disabled people. MACS have worked hard to ensure the views and needs of disabled people have been considered in travel guidance and mitigating measures throughout the pandemic. Download the MACS Annual Report, which is also available in Easy Read: https://bit.ly/3AkXyKY
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Anti-poverty campaigners have called for action to make Scotland’s transport system more affordable, after a new report found that Scotland’s transport system is too often tightening the grip of poverty on people’s lives. Conducted by the Poverty Alliance and commissioned by Transport Scotland, the report found that public transport was essential for people living on low incomes in terms of accessing employment, as well as vital services such as childcare and education. But the research – based on interviews and focus groups with parents, carers and young people from low-income families – also found that the cost of public transport
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We hosted a webinar discussion on accessible journey planning and improving the Traveline Scotland service. Transport Scotland is working with Traveline Scotland to understand what changes should be made to improve the travel planning information and associated services currently made available via the Traveline Scotland website and app services. Transport Scotland are engaging various stakeholders ranging from transport operators to Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and public transport related bodies, and are keen to understand what accessibility related information you think should be made available to help you better plan your travel journey across modes of transport including bus, rail,
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ScotRail provide details of their newly updated app featuring live journey information. For an even smoother experience, download the new and improved ScotRail App featuring mTickets and live journey information. mTickets are the faster way to buy and use train tickets. Available for Advance, Singles and Returns, you can now buy and download tickets straight to your mobile, instantly. Stored within the app, simply activate your digital ticket with a tap, and scan at the ticket gates to board. Join us in going digital and take the next step towards greener travel. Our Live Times feature keeps you up to
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A new app is now available that aims to make it easier and quicker for disabled people to request assistance for their train journeys, helping people to travel with confidence on Scotland’s railway network. The ‘Passenger Assistance’ app, developed with train operators, will offer passengers the choice to request assistance, update their profile and review their journeys from anywhere using their smartphone. This can speed up assistance bookings and give customers greater confidence on their journeys as they can instantly amend accessibility requirements on their profile via the app. The rail industry has already improved assistance for passengers by replacing
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The following information provides an overview of the various accessibility measures that are in place for disabled passengers on CalMac and Serco NorthLink Ferries. CalMac Ferries The travelling public can view information on the help available to passengers by visiting the CalMac website. Passengers can check in advance the facilities that are available at each port by visiting this webpage. Information about the facilities currently available  on CalMac‘s fleet and can be viewed here.   Please note that CalMac are in the process of updating this information and so the information on the website will continually be updated. Serco NorthLink
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Join Disability Equality Scotland as we host a webinar discussion on Monday 24 May, from 1:30pm-3:00pm about accessible journey planning, and the work Transport Scotland and Traveline are doing to improve this experience for disabled people. Transport Scotland is working with Traveline Scotland to understand what changes should be made to improve the travel planning information and associated services currently made available via the Traveline Scotland website and app services. At present, Transport Scotland are engaging various stakeholders ranging from transport operators to Local Authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and public transport related bodies. They are keen to understand what accessibility
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Everyone Aboard is a campaign by the Poverty Alliance to extend free bus travel to those with a Universal Credit entitlement and other low-income benefits, and to all young people under 25. Addressing transport poverty in Scotland is a vital part of building an environmentally sustainable society,  ensuring everyone’s human rights can be realised, and of combatting poverty and inequality. The Poverty Alliance is calling for the proposed policy to be implemented and fully funded as a necessary investment in building a more just and compassionate Scotland. They will make the case for extending  the concessionary bus travel scheme  based
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