Press Release 14 January 2003: Money for rail - making it accessible
MACS advises Transport Minister to make sure the investment in Rail Services in Scotland takes full account of the needs of disabled people.
Margaret Hickish, Convener of MACS said today:
"We very much welcome the Executive's commitment in December to spend £5.4m on new trains and ticketing arrangements in Scotland. It is very important that this money is spent wisely.
If the new trains, ticketing machines and ticket checking barriers are to meet the needs of disabled people then Scotrail and the Executive will have to pay close attention to the specification of each item.
To achieve the best possible outcome in terms of service and value for money it is important that the needs of disabled people are fully considered at the design stage. It is all too often the case that these needs are thought about as an add-on, if at all."
MACS has written to the Scottish Executive advising that any new trains should be accessible and that appropriate standards should be adhered to for the specification of the ticketing and ticket checking machines.
Contact:
MACS Secretariat
Tel: 01383 749548
E-mail: macs@macs-mobility.org