Rail

Train Operators

The Scotrail franchise is responsible for the majority of train services within Scotland. The current Scotrail franchise is operated by Abellio. Under the terms of the franchise, Scotrail must produce and annually revise a Disabled People’s Protection Policy (DPPP). Information on passenger assistance provided by Scotrail can be found on their website. For passenger assistance provided by other train operators, please visit our resources.

Transport Scotland has worked with Scotrail to improve rail accessibility. Improvements include:

• Better wayfinding signage and new cross-modal customer information screens at key stations
• Piloting the assist-Mi customer assistance mobile app at selected stations
• Working with disabled people to develop a new mystery shopping and access audit service to transparently check service performance.

Transport Scotland also has a dedicated rail accessibility page on its website where information on adapting the rail network for use by disabled passengers is provided.

Accessible Trains

Progress is being made to improve the design and layout of trains for disabled and other passengers. Most trains serving Scotland will be refurbished to meet rail vehicle accessibility standards.

The class 380 trains introduced by ScotRail in 2011 were the first in Britain to comply with the new European standards for accessibility (TSI PRM). In 2017 Scotrail launched the Hitachi class 385 trains, which will improve accessibility and safety of rail travel for disabled passengers.

Rail Stations

Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport published out Design Standards for Accessible Railway Stations Code of Practice, which details the requirements for providing accessible rail services to disabled passengers.

The number of inaccessible stations has reduced significantly in recent years through a range of investments. For example, since 2006 some 19 stations have been made step-free through the £41m Access for All fund, which is dedicated to improving access at stations and is implemented by Network Rail.

Engagement Groups

• ScotRail Stakeholder Equality Group – Forming part of ScotRail’s governance structure, a group comprising disabled people and their representative organisations. Its remit is to assist ScotRail to deliver inclusive and accessibility policies for disabled people and those with reduced mobility, as well as offer guidance to ScotRail on strategic matters relating to inclusion and accessibility
• Scottish Rail Accessibility Forum – Transport Scotland organised a group designed to exchange information about rail projects that directly impact passengers and to ensure that disabled people’s views are properly heard.