The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability was formally adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 December 2006. Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification of the UN Convention when it became open for signature on 31 March 2007. A high-level cross Departmental working group was established in 2007 under the auspices of the then Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to advise on any changes to the Government’s National Disability Strategy that might be required to enable the State to ratify the Convention. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport participated in the work of the group as Articles 9 and 20 of the Convention relate, among other things, to requirements for accessible public transport – the relevant text is reproduced in Appendix 3. The consequential implementation responsibilities falling onto the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All. However, some responsibilities under Articles 9 and 20 of the Convention require measures that extend beyond the scope of this Sectoral Plan. The transport provisions of Article 9 have been progressed in the context of the Public Transport Regulation Act of 2009. The 2009 Act came into force since the last Sectoral Plan review. It provides a new statutory basis for the licensing of public bus passenger services. The 2009 Act allows the National Transport Authority to attach minimum accessibility standards as a condition for the granting, amending or renewing of licences for public bus passenger services. This is a significant improvement on the previous legislation which dated from 1932. Article 20 of the UN Convention deals with personal mobility, a concept that extends well beyond the reach of public transport. However, possibilities for integration with school transport, transport for health care and door to door transport are being explored as part of on-going work on improving the integration of local and rural transport services. Section 2: The Review Process
these entitlements – and any related requirements an air carrier or the airport management body may have – would undoubtedly help disabled people with travel preparations and consequently make the journey smoother. To this end, the CAR has developed information cards which it distributes to travel agents, tour operators and disability groups around the country. The CAR also hosts an information stand at the annual Holiday World Fair in the RDS with a view to increasing public awareness. In late 2011 the CAR also launched a new consumer focused website . This website is designed to facilitate easy access to information on the assistance that people with disabilities and reduced mobility are entitled to receive. The website also provides access to the CAR’s on-line complaints system. A further information initiative which might help to promote awareness of this Regulation is currently being considered by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. US requirements In parallel, American legislation under the Air Carriers Access Act Regulation (14 CFR Part 382) came into force in 2009 and applies to air carriers flying to and from the USA and air carriers on code-share flights with US carriers anywhere in world. Unlike the European Regulation which places responsibility primarily on the airport management body, the US regime requires the air carrier to take responsibility for meeting the needs of passengers with disabilities. Air carriers which operate services between the EU and the United States need to be aware of, and comply with, both sets of requirements. 3.7 Maritime Transport
development of Transport Strategy and Policy. This includes ensuring there is participation by staff with disabilities throughout the Department in the policy development process. The commitments, relevant to the Department in Transport Access for All, are included in the Department’s Statement of Strategy, related Business Plans and in the Department’s Annual Reports. The obligations on public bodies in fulfilling their statutory obligations under section 26, 27 and 28 of the Disability Act extend to all bodies under the auspices of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, including the National Transport Authority, the National Roads Authority, the Road Safety Authority and the Railway Safety Commission. In establishing any new bodies with responsibility for transport matters, the Department will continue to ensure that each body will have a specific remit with regard to transport accessibility. Local authority road user audits will be further developed and rolled out. These will ensure that all road users, including people with mobility/sensory impairments, are provided for in road transport infrastructure. The contribution of people with disabilities to the development of accessible transport policy and to monitoring progress with the implementation of the sectoral plan for public transport is facilitated by way of their participation in the work of the Public Transport Accessibility Committee. Membership of PTAC is reviewed on an ongoing basis in the light of changes to the Department’s responsibilities. Data and Research Strategy The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport recognises the importance of comprehensive data and research across the Transport Sector and in particular on accessible transport. The Department has already contributed to a number of initiatives in that regard. The questionnaire survey of transport users, which accompanied the public consultation for the 2008 review of Transport Access for All represented a first step in gathering baseline information concerning the impact of the accessible transport
with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. additional vehicles to bus fleets using only low-floor, wheelchair accessible buses that have on-board features to assist people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. Continue to provide additional accessible services on a route by route basis. Private Operators disabilities to public transport, will continue. A new sign is being developed for the wheelchair space in the bus, which it is hoped will help to avoid conflict between wheelchair users and buggy owners on Dublin bus services. Disability training is ongoing and disability awareness campaigns are run throughout the company. Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) is being rolled out in Dublin and work will commence in Cork in 2012. Consideration is being given to possibilities for on-bus audio announcements. Bus Éireann continues to purchase only low-floor wheelchair accessible buses for its provincial city fleets. In other areas where Bus Éireann provides urban bus services, the Company will continue to replace buses with vehicles that are low-floor wheelchair accessible. Inter-City Coach Services Provide scheduled coach-based services that are accessible to people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. Continue to replace existing coaches and add additional coaches to fleets using only accessible coaches. NTA, Bus Éireann and Private Operators 193 (42%) of Bus Éireann’s total coach fleet of 463 vehicles is wheelchair accessible. Bus Éireann hopes to achieve a 100% wheelchair accessible coach fleet on its public service obligation routes by end 2015. However, associated infrastructure upgrades (provision of accessible coach stops etc.) are also required to facilitate the
Continue to provide additional accessible services on a route by route basis. introduction of accessible coach services. Attachment of conditions, including accessibility conditions, to the grant of bus licences. National Transport Authority In 2013, the NTA will undertake a consultation with the industry in relation to licensing conditions. A Regulatory Impact Analysis, which will take account of likely accessibility impacts, will be carried out in relation to any proposed changes. Bus Stops All bus stops made compatible with accessible buses. Install wheelchair accessible Hard Stands together with Kassel Kerbing as well as Shelters with seating and good lighting. Ensure that the bus shelter and bus stop pole incorporate appropriate colour contrasts and are Local Authorities, An Garda Siochána, Bus Operators, the DECLG, NRA, NTA and DTTAS. BÁC: Of a total of 4,776 bus stops in the GDA, 2,445 (51%) have been upgraded and work in that regard is on-going. Bus stops are also being upgraded on routes that form part of the Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) Programme. BÁC is putting 2600 bus pole identification signs on bus poles to aid people with visual impairments. BÉ: Bus Eireann continues to work with local authorities in relation to the authorities’ upgrading of bus stops in the provincial cities in conjunction with the construction of QBCs/Green Routes. The National Transport Authority now provides funding directly to the individual local authorities for new or upgraded Wheelchair
of taxis and hackneys for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. that there is adequate provision of taxi and hackney services that are: Accessible, Available, and Affordable. Specifically Transport Authority, DTTAS, Local Authorities, DECLG, Department of Finance and the Department of Social & Family Affairs. December 2011 was 1227 and the total active wheelchair accessible hackney’s is 3. That is 5.16% of the overall fleet. The NTA is committed to promoting an increase in the number of accessible vehicles and the standards of those vehicles. 1. Usage of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis. National Transport Authority A booking ‘contact centre’ will be piloted and evaluated, and will assist in gathering better information on Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) use, travel patterns and transport requirements; Further analysis of the optimum usage of WATs by dispatch operators will also be carried out; A website and smartphone application to facilitate self‐ordering of WATs will be developed. 2. Easier access to hackney market in rural areas. National Transport Authority Development of a new hackney licence which would facilitate entry to the hackney market in rural areas with identified public transport requirements. 3. Improved SPSV vehicle standards and National Transport Authority Short-Term Measures Revised age limit rules on taxi vehicles to encourage the movement to vehicles of 9-years or less
Enhanced availability of local and rural transport services for all Ensure that accessibility is a core criterion in the development of local and rural integrated transport services. DTTAS, NTA, RTP Groups, HSE, Local Authorities, Department of Education & Skills, Department of Environment, Community & Local Government. A National Integrated Rural transport Committee has been established to examine barriers to service integration and identify solutions. The public transport services provided under the Rural Transport Programme and by voluntary and community groups already have a high level of accessibility. The Committee which is chaired by the NTA will work to advance the integration of transport services while maintaining and, where possible, enhancing accessibility levels. Heavy Rail Suburban Passenger Trains Make all suburban trains accessible to people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. Only purchase wheelchair accessible trains that have on-board features to assist people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. NTA and Iarnród Éireann. PA enhancements - 75 % of the Dart fleet has been upgraded to date and it is intended that the PA systems on the remaining 25% will be completed in 2013. The replacement/ upgrade of the PA system on the remaining vehicles of the Commuter fleet will also be progressed. Inter-City Passenger Trains Make all Inter-City passenger trains Only purchase wheelchair Iarnród Éireann The intercity fleet operating from Dublin serving stations on lines to Sligo, Westport, Galway, Limerick, Tralee. Wexford and Cork is
Dublin’s light rail service, LUAS, is an accessible service and has been designed from the outset to be so. The Railway Procurement Agency and Veolia Transport. In conjunction with visually impaired people, identify and implement workable solutions to assist them in identifying the correct Luas tram to board when a number of services are operating in close proximity (for example Connolly Station interchange). Motorised Personal Transport Establish legal position for motorised personal transport including scooters and electric wheelchairs Research NDA/DTTAS NDA to undertake research work in 2013 to: Establish the position in Ireland; Establish the position in other countries; Identify key issues; Recommend actions as required. ROADS AND TRAFFIC Accessibility in Vicinity of Public Transport Infrastructure Accessibility in the vicinity of public transport services is central to the overall accessibility of the DTTAS will strengthen its cross-sectoral working arrangements to Local Authorities, An Garda Siochána, Bus Operators, the DTTAS and the DECLG are participating in the work of each other’s monitoring committees (PTAC in DTTAS’s case). In addition, DTTAS will participate on an on-going basis in the work of the Disability Steering Committee of the Local Government Management Services Board and where necessary, will also What needs to be done? How can it be done? Who is going to do it? General Comments and Target Dates public transport system. ensure that the implementation of DECLG, NRA, NTA and engage with the City and County Managers Association in respect of public transport accessibility matters.
the sectoral plans of DTTAS the DECLG together with the accessibility plans of the individual local authorities are implemented in a co-ordinated manner. DTTAS. DTTAS continues to liaise as necessary with the National Transport Authority, the National Roads Authority, Public Transport Providers and An Garda Siochána to progress accessibility improvements in the vicinity of public transport services. Roads Make pedestrian facilities on roads more accessible for persons with disabilities. Existing roads and pedestrian facilities will be covered by access audits and implementation plans of the local authorities, while new or improved facilities will be designed and constructed to meet accessibility Local authorities with NRA oversight for National Roads and DTTAS oversight for other Roads Implementation plans on a prioritised basis were put in place by mid-2007. The on-going prioritised programme to implement accessibility improvements to existing roads and pedestrian infrastructure will continue to be advanced in line with available funding. The design and construction of new roads and pedestrian facilities must follow the ‘Traffic Management Guidelines’ which incorporate specific provisions relating to persons with disabilities. What needs to be done? How can it be done? Who is going to do it? General Comments and Target Dates standards. Local authorities NTA, Local Co-ordination arrangements were developed between 2006 and
and developing guidelines and standards and facilitating the exchange of good practice amongst local authorities. The ‘Memorandum on Grants for Regional and Local Roads’ will be reviewed and revised as necessary to reflect appropriate conditions and guidance relating to persons with disabilities. It is intended to finalise the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and issue it for use in quarter four 2012. Improved design and use of shared spaces to cater for the needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive disabilities as well as older people and children. DTTAS, DECLG, LGMSB, NDA and TrinityHaus Building on the NDA/TrinityHaus research initiative, it is intended that guidelines will be developed for the design and use of Shared Spaces, Shared Surfaces and Home Zones in Urban Areas. Parking for People with Disabilities Review of the Disabled Parking Scheme. DTTAS. New regulations came into effect as of 1 June 2011 which place the eligibility focus for the disabled persons parking permit on level of mobility impairment rather than on diagnosis of particular medical conditions. The new regulations also remove the exemption of permit holders from the rule against parking again in a public space within one hour. This change should help to ensure What needs to be done? How can it be done? Who is to do it? General Comments and Target Dates spaces were available for more people.
Better enforcement. An Garda Siochána and Local Authority Traffic Wardens. DTTAS will continue to liaise on an on-going basis with An Garda Siochána, Department of the Environment Community & Local Government and the National Transport Authority concerning improved enforcement. MARITIME PASSENGER TRANSPORT Assess how the voluntary approach to accessibility improvements on passenger ships/boats is working. Issue a marine notice to owners/operators of passenger vessels regarding the voluntary approach and reminding them of the low cost but effective changes that can be made to improve accessibility. Monitor improvements during certain ship inspections through questionnaires and observation. DTTAS. Marine Survey Office. By end April 2012. End 2013. What needs to be done? How can it be done? Who is going to do it? General Comments and Target Dates Review voluntary Review results of DTTAS. End 2014.
approach to accessibility improvements to passenger vessels and consider whether mandatory measures are required. voluntary approach. Implementation of the Regulation of the European Council and the European Parliament setting out the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by sea and inland waterway. Ensure that the Regulation is implemented in Ireland. DTTAS Regulation 1177/2010 shall apply in all Member States from 18 December 2012. Improved information provision. To establish a system for linking the Department’s website to other websites providing up to date information on service improvements in the industry. DTTAS As part of a British-Irish Council initiative, a webpage for Ireland has been developed which includes links to relevant maritime passenger transport websites. What needs to be done? How can it be done? Who is going to do it? General Comments and Target Dates