1. Personal mobility
Personal mobility refers to how easily someone can move around and get where they need to go safely and independently, whether that’s at home or in public spaces. This includes wheelchairs, scooters, cycles, walking aids and other equipment to help people walk and wheel.
Examples of barriers to accessible personal mobility include the cost and availability of equipment. People can’t always afford what they need and may face long waits for the right vehicle or aid. E-scooters and bikes aren’t always accessible and often require modifications to support different access needs.
2. Private transport
Private transport is owned or leased, rather than being shared with the public. It gives people independent and flexible travel. This includes personal cars, accessibility features and design of vehicles.
Examples of barriers to accessible private transport include the cost of a car or other private vehicle and any adaptations that may be needed. Attitudes towards and awareness of disability among driving instructors and mechanics can put some people off driving and maintaining a vehicle. Finding information about, for example, accessible motorway service stations can be difficult.
3. Public transport
Public transport is any system of shared transport available for use by the general public, which charges set fares and follows fixed routes and schedules. This includes buses, trains, trams, ferries and planes, and the support provided by public transport staff.
Examples of barriers to accessible public transport include the cost, which can be higher for a disabled person if they need someone to travel with them. Step-free access is also an issue; only about a quarter of train stations, for example, are step-free from station to platform. Public transport staff may lack the confidence and skills to support disabled passengers and the attitudes of other passengers can make travel difficult or unpleasant.
4. Shared transport
Shared transport refers to services that are shared among multiple users. We include community transport services, which are designed to help people who have limited access to private or public transport, such as elderly or disabled people, rural communities or those on low incomes. Shared transport also includes taxis, car clubs and bike and electric scooter schemes.
Examples of barriers to accessible shared transport include cost and vehicle design. Private taxis are often the only option for people who don’t drive in areas where public transport is poor, but they are expensive and aren’t always wheelchair accessible. Shared bike and electric scooter schemes in towns and cities are rarely designed with disabled people in mind.
5. Journey-making support
Journey-making support is the infrastructure, tools and services that help people plan and make journeys. This includes electric vehicle charging, accessible streetscapes, travel confidence skills and journey planning apps.
There are many barriers when it comes to journey making support. For example, parked cars, roadworks and other obstacles can make pavements, town centres and other public spaces inaccessible. Public charging points for electric vehicles aren’t always accessible. Journey planning tools (such as maps and timetables) don’t always provide information about accessibility.
Want to get involved?
This is the beginning of the journey, and we’d love communities, disabled people's organisations, charities, Government and others to build transport equity with us.
Please get in touch if you’d like to be involved or discuss our plans.
