{"id":50446,"date":"2024-06-07T14:27:53","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T13:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=50446"},"modified":"2024-06-10T15:16:35","modified_gmt":"2024-06-10T14:16:35","slug":"potential-and-possibility-2024-improving-experiences-of-public-transport","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/about-us\/research\/potential-and-possibility-research\/potential-and-possibility-2024-improving-experiences-of-public-transport\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential and Possibility 2024: Improving experiences of public transport"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

People with complex disabilities tell us what needs to change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t
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When public transport stops feeling safe, affordable and accessible to disabled people, many are left stranded and excluded.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nearly half of people with complex disabilities felt that their needs weren\u2019t supported on public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Potential and Possibility research 2024 <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

The majority of people with complex disabilities rely on public transport, 72% of people with complex disabilities use some form of public transport day-to-day. When private lifts aren\u2019t available, trains and buses play a vital role in connecting disabled people to the world around them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet, nearly half (45%) of people with complex disabilities felt that their needs as a disabled person weren\u2019t supported on public transport.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people with complex disabilities face barriers on public transport, including cost and lack of accessibility. More concerningly, a significant proportion of the people we surveyed also found public transport difficult because of the attitudes of other passengers. More needs to be done to tackle the barriers people with complex disabilities face on public transport.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t

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Tackling public transport anxieties\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Statistically, disabled people are the least likely to have support networks around them or have the same chance to feel like part of their local communities. Being able to access and enjoy these connections does a lot to combat loneliness<\/a> and boost confidence. This is why it\u2019s so crucial that public transport is safe, accessible and affordable everyone.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over half (52%) of people with complex disabilities rely on public transport to see friends and family. However, for many, it takes time and support to build up confidence and start using public transport independently.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across our many different Sense services, we look out for opportunities to support people to adjust to different kinds of transport. This relieves anxiety about day-to-day activities, such as having to travel to a doctor’s appointment, and opens up possibilities for people to live life the way they want to. Our community support workers and communicator guides<\/a> are there to provide one-to-one support for as long as it takes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natalie was diagnosed with Usher syndrome<\/a> when she was 29 years old. She\u2019s had to work hard to rebuild her sense of self and adjust to life with hearing and vision impairments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI had become self-conscious about using a cane in public or even traveling with my disabled bus pass. It was the idea of being judged by other people that put me off.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“But Kath, my amazing Sense Communicator Guide, pushed me to get past my embarrassment. Now I go out more \u2013 I\u2019ve got some freedom. From shopping to hospital appointments, anything I need her for, she\u2019s there.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\nRead Natalie\u2019s story: <\/strong>Getting a bit of my life back<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t

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Stories like Natalie\u2019s, which show people breaking through societal barriers, are hugely encouraging. The more disabled people are empowered to participate in life and use public transport, the easier it\u2019ll be for others to follow. Unfortunately, transport remains \u201ca big issue\u201d for Natalie, even with her new-found support and confidence.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cBeing blind means that I can\u2019t drive, and with just one bus running every hour through our village, my options for getting around are limited.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\nNatalie<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Sense\u2019s practical support can only go so far; local councils and the Government need to do more to make transport a safe and appealing option for disabled people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No one should have to face abuse on public transport\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Over half of people with complex disabilities found public transport difficult because of the attitudes of other passengers towards disabled people.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Potential and Possibility research 2024 <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s hard to read about Natalie\u2019s anxieties regarding how others might judge her on public transport, just for having a disability. She\u2019s not alone in feeling this way. Over half (52%) of people with complex disabilities found public transport difficult because of the attitudes of other passengers towards disabled people.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our survey found that experiences vary greatly, ranging from missed opportunities to be courteous to open hostility:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI often find that people see me as \u2018healthier\u2019 than older people, so when priority seats are full, they will not move for me to sit down, but will for an older person \u2013 even if they’re the healthiest possible person.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI have encountered many really rude and abusive passengers on the bus. Telling me things like I should be dead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\t

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Encountering hostility of any kind can be deeply unnerving, especially for disabled people, who are already more vulnerable and more prone to anxiety than the general public<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, our research also uncovered lots of encouraging stories about the kindness and support of strangers towards disabled travellers. Many people who have complex disabilities, particularly those who are deafblind, feel reliant on the public to help them use public transport. Unfortunately, this is due, in large part, to a lack staff with adequate training in supporting disabled people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Janet, who is deaf, public transport is both a \u201cgreat joy\u201d and \u201chorrendous\u201d. She perseveres with using trains and buses despite the problems she encounters, but for other disabled people, these regular battles would prove overwhelming.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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\u201c\u2026station officials vary from the charming and patient, to the less than tolerant. It\u2019s a nightmare.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019re on the train, you can\u2019t make out the announcements. They might be telling you the buffet closes in half an hour, or they could be warning you your train is terminating at the next station and you\u2019ll need to change.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mainly, I\u2019m dependent on kindly people to interpret for me \u2013 and fortunately, there are plenty of these people around.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\nRead Janet\u2019s story: When you\u2019re deaf, public transport can be a nightmare<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Experiences like Janet\u2019s have been picked up on by campaigners like Mohammed. As a passionate advocate for disabled people, he wants the upcoming 2024 General Election<\/a> to do more to make public transport a better option for disabled people.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThere are issues with accessible transport. Visually impaired and blind people can’t go A to B because audio voice announcements are inconsistent. You never know if a vehicle will be equipped and accessible to you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\t

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\u00a0Ensuring that public transport is accessible and safe will make a huge difference to the disabled community, in all aspect of their lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel costs are pricing out disabled people\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even before the current cost-of-living crisis, disabled people were spending hundreds of pounds on costs specific to living with additional needs. Estimates place these additional costs at \u00a3975 a month<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of these additional expenses, our Policy and Campaigns Officer, Steven, identified three which are the greatest concern for disabled people at the present time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The biggest barriers affecting people with complex disabilities on public transport were overcrowding, unreliable services and cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Potential and Possibility research 2024 <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

One factor is the dependency on expensive public transport, namely taxis. Our research found that the biggest barriers affecting people with complex disabilities on public transport were overcrowding (43%), unreliable services (30%) and cost (29%). When other forms of public transport aren\u2019t accessible, taxi rides become the main way to get around.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steven says, \u201cThe cost of this soon mounts up\u201d, pricing disabled people out of being about to travel. More and more people are choosing to \u201csave their petrol or taxi costs for emergencies such as medical appointments.\u201d This limits access to social and leisure activities, which can isolate people and put a severe strain mental health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read all three reasons why life costs more when you’re disabled<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

38% of people with complex disabilities found it difficult to afford their transport costs. And while there are options to reduce the cost of transport if you\u2019re disabled or a carer<\/a>, this support doesn\u2019t address the larger issues. Involving disabled people more in discussions and plans about how to shape public transport services could be transformational. Of the people we surveyed, many would be greatly encouraged by this act of inclusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI feel people who work with public transport need to have more conversations with disabled people, asking how they can help support us and make changes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need them to understand our struggle, and to make whatever improvements necessary to make it possible for disabled people feel equal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Potential and Possibility is an annual piece of research on the experiences and aspirations of people with complex disabilities. The research involves polling and our own survey. This year we involved 1,279 people with complex disabilities in our research. This year (2024) is the third year we have carried out this research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pages reflect the latest information from our 2024 research, building on our findings from 2023 and 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions about the research, please contact\u202fpolicy.research@sense.org.uk<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

People with complex disabilities tell us what needs to change \u201cI often find that people see me as \u2018healthier\u2019 than older people, so when priority seats are full, they will not move for me to sit down, but will for an older person \u2013 even if they’re the healthiest possible person.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cI have encountered many […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":9805,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-page-with-section-nav.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"content_label":[],"class_list":["post-50446","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/50446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50446"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/50446\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"content_label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_label?post=50446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}