Wheels within wheels - a guide to using a wheelchair on public transport 2005 (view report contents)
The law
Regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) have
led to significant improvements in access to public transport.
The DDA became law in 1995. It made it illegal to discriminate against
disabled people on the grounds of their disability. Since 1999 service
providers, including those who run airports, ports, train and bus stations,
have had to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make those services
accessible. From October 2004 they have had to take reasonable steps to
remove physical obstacles.
Transport vehicles are covered in a different way. The DDA gave the Government
powers to set standards of accessibility for different means of transport.
Regulations exist for trains, buses and coaches and standards for taxis
are being developed.
These regulations set out minimum requirements – there is nothing
to stop transport operators providing services to an even higher standard
than the regulations set out.
Wheelchairs
DDA regulations say that new transport should be wheelchair accessible. This means they must have enough space for a specially designed reference wheelchair – see left. This is bigger than most wheelchairs, so means that there should be enough room for most wheelchairs. Note that the DDA regulations do not apply to scooters and buggies.
Reference wheelchair dimensions:
- Total length1200mm, including these extra long footplates, which make sure enough room has been allowed for your feet
- Total width 700mm
- Sitting height (from ground to top of head) 1350mm
- Height of footrest above floor 150mm
If you have a wheelchair this size or smaller you should be able to use all compliant transport
Compliant and accessible transport
Buses, coaches and trains that meet the regulations are known as being DDA compliant. We refer to them as ‘new’ and use this symbol for them:
Many buses, coaches and trains built before the regulations came in can
also be used by people in wheelchairs, although the standard may not be
quite as high as it is for compliant transport. We refer to these vehicles
as being accessible, or ‘pre-DDA’ and use this symbol for
them:
This guide describes what wheelchair users can expect from both types of transport. Services are more likely to be accessible than fully compliant, but this will change as more new vehicles are introduced. The guide tells you when this will happen for each type of transport.
Report Contents
Introduction
The law
Travelling
in a wheelchair
Trains and trams
Buses
Coaches
Taxis
Planning & booking a journey
Concessions
Reporting back & complaining
Information, help and advice
Details
of manual wheelchairs
Details
of manual wheelchairs - to be pushed by someone else
Details
of powered wheelchairs
