Supplementary note by the Disabled Persons
Transport Advisory Committee (DAF 16A)
DISABLED PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO TRANSPORT
GROUP TRAVEL
BY DISABLED
PEOPLE THROUGH
THE CHANNEL
TUNNEL
Background
1. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory
Committee (DPTAC) appeared before the House of Commons Transport
Committee at its oral evidence session on 1 December 2004. A member
of the Transport Committee, Mr Stringer, asked "How much
of a problem is it that disabled people are not allowed to travel
in groups through the Channel Tunnel?" I replied "I
do not think we have evidence, but we can certainly look into
this and send a note." This document is the note I referred
to.
2. Eurostar has made available a statement
of its current policies on travel for disabled people. This is
attached at Annex A.
Evidence of a problem
3. DPTAC can confirm that we have directly
received only one complaint about problems that groups of disabled
people have encountered travelling on Eurostar. We received this
complaint two weeks after the Transport Committee's 1 December
oral evidence session. We have also since been copied in on one
further e-mail on this subject that had been sent to the Chair
of the Transport Committee.
Limits on numbers of disabled people travelling
on the same train
4. It does not appear that Eurostar imposes
any restriction on travel by disabled people, other than in respect
of people using wheelchairs. Indeed guide dogs are provided with
a free seat next to their owner, and Eurostar now plan to make
provision for the carriage of other assistance dogs.
5. Eurostar trains have two wheelchair spaces
located in adjacent first class carriages. Only two passengers
are permitted to travel in their wheelchairs at any one time,
and they must do so in these spaces. Eurostar can accommodate
additional wheelchair users in standard, first and premium first
class coaches using regular train seating, at the full fare rate,
provided they can evacuate the train without the use of a wheelchair
and are able to walk a distance of 200 yards unassisted
6. While DPTAC accepts that train designs
require there to be an upper limit to the number of wheelchair
spaces on any design of train, we would prefer the number of wheelchair
spaces on Eurostar trains, which are typically of 16 carriages,
to have been considerably greater than two. However DPTAC and
the UK Government have had limited opportunity to influence the
number, design and location of these spaces.
7. These spaces are not governed by the
Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998, which govern the
design of all train carriages introduced on UK rail routes since
31 December 1998. Trains covered by the Rail Vehicle Accessibility
Regulations 1998 with 12 or more vehicles would be typically be
required to have at least four wheelchair spaces, at least one
in each class of passenger accommodation.
Situation of disabled people travelling on electric
scooters
8. We understand that some disabled people
who cannot walk to a seat may have had problems in establishing
whether or not they can travel in their electric scooters on Eurostar
services. The reason for this is that scooters vary far more widely
in size than wheelchairs do.
9. DPTAC hopes that the UK government will
introduce a scheme to mark scooters at the point of sale. The
mark would identify those scooters that would fit into the standard
wheelchair space defined in the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations.
We hope that, if this mark can be introduced, Eurostar could use
it to identify acceptable scooters.
Limits on numbers of disabled people travelling
together in a group
10. DPTAC very much welcomes Eurostar's
statement that "Eurostar does not prohibit groups of sight-impaired
or hearing-impaired passengers from using its services."
It would appear that the only limit on Eurostar's carriage of
groups of disabled people is its restriction on the number of
people who can travel in their wheelchairs at any one time.
11. The design of Eurostar's trains would
not permit even two wheelchair users to travel together in their
wheelchairs, as the two spaces are in different carriages. DPTAC's
preference would be for a design that permitted two wheelchair
users to travel together if they chose to do so.
Disabled people travelling in a group with others
12. DPTAC welcomes the fact that Eurostar's
policies appear to place no limits on travel by a wheelchair user
as part of a group including other disabled people who do not
use wheelchairs.
13. Eurostar operates a policy, which allows
a disabled passenger travelling in a wheelchair, together with
one companion to travel in first class accommodation at a reduced
standard rate fare, as stated in Annex A. An unfortunate consequence
of this is that, if a wheelchair passenger travels as part of
a group of three or more people, then the party cannot travel
together without the third and any additional persons having to
pay the full first class fare.
Fares for disabled people
14. Disabled people travelling on Eurostar
other than those using wheelchairs do not benefit from reduced
fares. For example, Eurostar does not recognise the Disabled Persons
Railcard. This is available to permanently and severely disabled
people and generally entitles the holder and one accompanying
adult to one third off the cost the price of many different types
of rail ticket on the national rail system.
Neil Betteridge
Chair, Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
21 February 2005
Annex A
Access to Eurostar Services
Eurostar's terminals and trains are among the
newest and most sophisticated in the UK. Both were purpose-built
to ensure access and ease of use for all passengers.
Additional assistance for movement-impaired
passengers is available at Eurostar's terminals and does not have
to be pre-booked.
Sight-Impaired and Hearing-Impaired Passengers
Eurostar does not prohibit groups of sight-impaired
or hearing-impaired passengers from using its services.
Eurostar ensures that when bookings are taken
from groups of blind or deaf passengers they are booked to sit
together in adjacent seating. Via BT, passengers calling the Eurostar
Contact Centre (08705 186 186) can access the Type-Talk facility
for the hard of hearing.
All Eurostar's Customer Service Teams have been
trained to high standards in customer care and needs awareness.
Many staff have attended specific "Disabled Awareness"
courses run by Disability Matters Ltd.
Terminal signage, lighting, lift controls and
ticket desk counters have all been designed to ensure maximum
visibility at all times.
Since September 2003 Eurostar has allowed guide
dogs to accompany their blind or partially sighted owners on Eurostar
services providing they comply with the Pet Travel Scheme. When
booking, all the guide dog owner has to do is specify that they
have a guide dog with them and the adjacent seating space will
be booked for the dog free of charge.
Eurostar will shortly open its service up to
assistance dogs—again providing they comply with the Pet
Travel Scheme.
Wheelchair-Based Passengers
Safety restrictions relating to Channel Tunnel
transit mean that Eurostar is able to transport two wheelchair-based
passengers per train.
There are currently two first class seats in
the centre coaches (9 and 10) adapted for wheelchair users who
need to remain in their own wheelchairs. Ramps are provided on
all platforms at all stations where Eurostar trains call, adjacent
to these coaches, which are marked with the same details appearing
on the passengers' tickets. The accessibility of these coaches
is greater than on other coaches of the train. An adjacent seat
is available for a travel companion. Eurostar operates a policy,
which allows for the disabled passenger and one companion to travel
in the first class accommodation at a reduced standard rate fare
(return fare: £59 per person for an adult disabled passenger
and their companion, and a child rate of £50 per person,
or single fare: adult £29.50, child £25).
Prior booking is essential for these seats in
accordance with instructions laid down by the Intergovernmental
Safety Authority. This is to ensure that the agreed evacuation
procedures can be safely implemented in any emergency situation
arising during transit through the Channel Tunnel.
Wheelchair users can also be accommodated in
standard, first and premium first class coaches using regular
train seating, at the full fare rate, provided they can evacuate
the train without the use of a wheelchair and are able to walk
a distance of 200 yards unassisted
Onboard train crew remain close to the two wheelchair
positions throughout the journey to provide assistance where required
throughout the journey.
Eurostar's conditions of carriage (available
in full on Eurostar.com) state this policy:
"For safety reasons, access to Eurostar
trains by persons confined to wheelchairs is limited to two per
train, travelling in the special areas provided. If you are normally
confined to a wheelchair but do not declare this at the time of
booking, you may be refused access to the train."
17 January 2005
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