The Committee raised concerns about the accessibility of small ferries, the failure of DPTAC's guidance to address ferry design issues and staff training relating to assisting disabled passengers.
(March 2008)
MACS welcomed the production of a National Transport Strategy, which has as one of its goals the promotion of accessibility and also has as one of its high level objectives the promotion of social inclusion. We also noted that one of the key points stressed in the introduction to the consultation document is that "transport is not an end in itself". If these issues are addressed we are confident that the National Transport Strategy should be able to deliver a passenger transport system that truly reflects the needs of disabled people. We feel that previously the provision of a passenger transport system for disabled people has been provided very much on an ad hoc basis and has not resulted in much of an improvement in the mobility of disabled people.
(July 2006)
The Committee's response offered advice in relation to the provision of suitable transport services. Pointing out that as the incidence of disability increases with age the availability of accessible affordable transport becomes increasingly important for older people if they are to enjoy the benefits that others have in later life.
(June 2006 )
The Committee's response concentrated on the Rules for Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Mobility Scooters (Rules 34 - 44). The Committee felt that further advice should be included in the Highway Code in relation to training, insurance, maintenance, safety of the vehicles etc.
(May 2006)
The Committee's response noted the proposals to set up a Public Transport Users Committee and recognised the potential merit in creating one body, which would be representative of all users of passenger transport in Scotland. However it had difficulty with the title and the proposed remit, which it felt precluded MACS from either being a sub committee of the PTUC or being a member of an umbrella organisation. MACS did not therefore support either option 1 or option 2 as proposed in the consultation document.
MACS commends the fact that the introduction of a Scotland-wide concessionary travel scheme as it introduces a level playing field across Scotland, extends travel beyond off peak to all day and introduces an Entitlement card using smart card technology that can be used over time to access an increasing number of public services. However, the Committee is disappointed that the significant amount of money that is being invested in the scheme will not improve the mobility of older and disabled people commensurately.
(December 2005)
