From RMT General Secretary Bob Crow

The RMT backed Action for Rail has published the findings of a survey highlighting the disastrous impact that the government’s transport cuts will have on disabled and older passengers (copy enclosed).

Amongst its findings the survey shows that disabled passengers hugely value the availability of staff on trains and at stations. 39% of disabled passengers say that they rely on staff assistance, a further 32% found it helpful. Key benefits that staff provide include enhancing personal safety and security, providing travel information, buying tickets and help access facilities and getting on and off trains.

Action for Rail point out that the government, through its Access Action Plan, have asked all train operators to produce Disabled Person’s Protection Plans (DPPPs) to demonstrate how they will broaden access to the railways for disabled passengers. Yet at the same time, proposals in the McNulty review, endorsed by both the government and rail operators, indicates that there could be cuts to tens of thousands of guards, stations and ticket office staff on whom disabled passengers rely.

A postcard campaign based on the findings of the survey supports the demand for a rail service that puts people before profit and the needs of the passengers first.