Passengers with disabilities from Birmingham and across the West Midlands have hailed a new bus pass plan as an overdue upgrade and a vital step towards real equality, but told Prime Minister Andy Burnham there was much more to do to ensure disabled people felt truly safe, included and economically supported to use buses more often.
Burnham was in Wolverhampton this week to unveil his plan to lift restrictions on bus passes for the disabled so they can get on board any time of day or night. Currently, disabled bus passes are only eligible for use after 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends. The new changes will come into force on 1 April next year.
Users call for wider support for carers and companions
Burnham and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker met users who told them in no uncertain terms that it was a great move but could not be an isolated step.
Nabila Gardner, a business owner who lives in Birmingham and is disabled, said she had been a more regular user of buses and other public transport until her condition became more challenging and she now has to use a car more often.
"I shared with the Prime Minister that I thought the new policy did not go far enough, it was not thinking about the carers who might have to travel, not just the paid carers but the unpaid carers too, the family or relatives," she said.
"We are not (always) going on public transport alone, we are often going with other people, so I think the scheme could be expanded out. It is a fantastic idea...but I think it needs to go a little bit further."
Disabled people call for more inclusive infrastructure
Alexandra Davis, who is deaf and uses a wheelchair, makes social media videos about accessibility under the identity 'mywheeliegreatlife', helping other disabled people navigate their way around. She said of the change: "It feels like the government are realising that disabled people don't just exist between set times."
"Being disabled, you have to plan so much already - not having to worry about leaving the house, or getting on a bus too early, it's one less thing to worry about."
Lots of disabled people are anxious or confused about how the public transport system, ticketing and passes works so avoid it, she said.
"It was really refreshing speaking to the Prime Minister and the mayor and hear them talk of us as normal people, which sounds weird but we are so used to not being treated as everyday citizens."
"Having Andy Burnham here asking us what we think of the plans and what needs to happen next was really positive. I hope it is the first step in a long line of changes needed to increase accessibility and make lives for disabled people easier."
Learning disability advocates highlight barriers beyond passes
Pamela Johnson works for Midland Mencap, which supports people with learning disabilities and their families. She spoke to the Prime Minister about the challenges using public transport.
"Today's announcement is really positive for those with learning disabilities and their families," she said afterwards. "They are often isolated, vulnerable and their bus pass is their power to travel."
Extending the times when bus passes can be used is a positive move but more needs to be done to resolve public transport challenges for disabled people and carers, she said.
"We support people who don't use the bus because it is not accessible for them. There are far too many barriers - the physical barriers of getting a wheelchair on, or if you use walking sticks, but also the anti social behaviour."
"Some disabled people choose to use taxis or not go out because they feel safer," she said.
Some drivers don't give enough time for people with disabilities to get on and off safely, she added. "We have examples of drivers going past the bus stop (without stopping) if they see someone is in a wheelchair. There is also limited space for wheelchairs and children's buggies so they can miss numerous buses because there is not enough wheelchair capacity."
"It is not just the bus passes - it is also the whole infrastructure around travel for a lot of people with learning disabilities."
"I was able to speak to the mayor and Prime Minister about...some of the barriers to transport and travel and I felt they were offering an active ear, they were listening."
She said the mayor had offered to meet with Midland Mencap and disabled people to discuss further the challenges. "I think there is a long way to go for (the bus network) to be fully inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities."
Shift workers and sensory loss users welcome the change
Taz Marshall, who is sight impaired, praised the extended bus pass plan, which she said opened up opportunities to enjoy a better quality of life.
"It is my lifesaver, it's how I get out of the house, enables me to meet my friends, do sports, it's a wonderful thing and a great announcement. I am a shift worker and have to be in work at 7am so that didn't fit with the 9.30am start time for the pass."
Her friend Meena Rattu, who has dual sensory loss, says the news had 'put a smile on my face'. She said it was lovely to be able to meet with and express her thoughts to the Prime Minister direct. "He was empathetic, shared his future plans (for the buses) and was excited about it, it was lovely."
The opportunity for users to meet the PM in person was coordinated by Dr Mark Fosbrook, the first ever disability inclusion manager at West Midlands Combined Authority, who is aiming to make the region an exemplar place to live and work for disabled people. His aims included getting bus pass restrictions lifted, and he hailed it as 'a huge move'.
