Local MP, Caroline Dinenage, has today welcomed the Department for Transport’s ‘it’s everyone’s journey’ campaign, which looks to increase awareness about making transport more inclusive.

The campaign is being supported by more than 100 partners, including First Group, WHSmith Travel and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Alongside this, the department is launching its Inclusive Transport Leaders scheme, an accreditation scheme which will encourage, celebrate and promote best practice in inclusive transport.

Operators, such as bus and train companies, are encouraged to sign up to the Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme, to be recognised for the positive actions they are taking to improve disabled passengers’ experiences on public transport, and to encourage others to follow their lead. They can work towards 1 of 3 accreditation levels ‘Committed’, ‘Operator’ or ‘Leader’ by meeting designated criteria and publicly declaring the steps they have taken to improve the travelling experiences of disabled passengers, older people, and those with reduced mobility.

These improvements form part of the wider Inclusive Transport Strategy and supports the government’s ambition of achieving equal access for all on public transport.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

‘’I want our transport system to be the best in the world for disabled people, but we still have a long way to go. 

Our ‘its everyone’s journey’ campaign highlights that we can all play a part in making transport more accessible for disabled people. Because I believe we should all be making a determined effort to make public transport accessible to everyone, and I am committed to accelerating the pace of change.

We are launching a new scheme to recognise those transport operators which are getting it right and will work quickly to implement recommendation’’

Commenting, Caroline said: 

“I welcome today’s announcement by the Department for Transport and the acceleration on progress of making the UK a world leader for accessible travel.

It is distressing to hear that 1 in 4 disabled people say the attitudes of other passengers prevent them from using public transport.

It is encouraging, therefore, that this campaign will encourage everyone to reflect on how common, and often unconscious, behaviours can impact others and what we can all do to create a more considerate environment for passengers.’’