Poor access to public transport hinders disabled commuters

For some people it has been seven and more weeks of hardship, but for other commuters in Mayo there is a rail dispute "almost 365 days a year". That is how it feels for people with disabilities who are not treated as members of the "public" when it comes to public transport.

A recent audit carried out by South West Mayo Leader company highlights the deficiencies at a time when there is no shortage of State funds. The report - one of two presented recently to Ms Mary Wallace, the Minister of State for Disability and Equality at the Department of Justice and Law Reform - found that two-thirds of people with disabilities identify inaccessible transport as limiting job prospects.

On the Westport-Dublin line there is designated space for one wheelchair only, and this is in the dining carriage beside the public telephone. If someone wishes to use the phone, there isn't enough room to accommodate both a wheelchair-user and a caller. Nor are there wheelchair clamps for the designated space.

Toilets on the trains are also not wheelchair-accessible, and there is no information displayed visually for those who may be deaf or hard of hearing. Train aisles are very narrow, and automatic sliding doors between carriages make for further obstacles.

Iarnrod Eireann is not the only transport company targeted in the report. None of the buses operated by Bus Eireann in Mayo is wheelchair-accessible, although 10 have "ferry lift" capacity which enables the bus floor to be lowered to kerb level. Western Health Board minibuses are inaccessible, and Knock Airport's facilities are limited.

Respondents to the survey also reported difficulties in obtaining grant-aid for adapting their vehicles, and have had mixed experiences when seeking insurance. Going the Extra Mile: the Mayo Accessible Transport Project is published by Area Development Management (ADM).

The Minister, Ms Wallace, has earmarked £90,000 for implementing local recommendations in the report.