Campaigning group Disabled People Against Cuts has backed the recent strikes by members of the RMT union, saying that planned cuts in funding and staff will have a bad impact on disabled people who use trains.
The statement, entitled ‘We need a rail service for passengers not for profits’ says that ‘thousands of job cuts across the rail networks are planned including the closure of all ticket offices which would be very detrimental to both older and disabled passengers.”
It adds: “Disabled people, older people, tourists and many others rely on the ticket offices, not only to book tickets, but to get advice. Not everyone uses a computer, has a smart phone or can use an app. Access needs will not be met as many people need that face to face intervention. Knowing a ticket office staff member is in the office helps older, disabled and women passengers feel safer. Often the ticket machines are broken or so complicated people need assistance to use them, especially anyone with a visual impairment.
“Platform staff assist with dispatching trains, directing passengers with information to get the right train to the right platform. They assist with using the ramp to get disabled people on and off trains safely. A driver can’t do that. We’ve previously seen how dangerous that can be for disabled people.
“Guards dispatch trains, checking everyone is aboard and it’s safe to leave the stations. Often trains are so long the driver video camera so small or even broken he can’t see one end of the train or the middle. Guards/conductors are needed on the trains. The rise of hate crime, racial attacks and crime are rising. It’s for safety. A guard on the train can radio through to a station what carriage a disabled person is on. Not knowing whether someone will be on the platform to assist disabled passengers to disembark causes massive anxiety and who knows where they might end up if the booked assistance doesn’t turn up? Disabled people have been left on trains too often for further cuts to be allowed.
“Make no mistake it is passengers like us who will pay the price. It will result in our safety horrendously compromised and it will lead to more serious incidents on the rail network, serious injuries and a rise in loss of life.”
You can see the entire statement here.
