- Accessibility of trains was rated poorly by 27% of our sample
- Those who are disabled/caring for those with a disability are the most likely to rate this poorly (35%), alongside those with physical/mobility issues (38%)
- This was also rated especially poorly among those who require wheelchair/mobility scooters and those with walking frames/sticks/crutches (45% and 39% respectively)
- The biggest issue around the accessibility of trains in Portsmouth was with the availability of staff to assist, with 67% citing this as an issue
- The provision of ramps is also a contributing factor, with 61% of our sample mentioning this
Accessibility of trains
Summary
Why respondents think the accessibility of trains is poor or very poor
Base: All rating accessibility of trains as poor or very poor (127)
This chart shows that when asked why respondents think the accessibility of trains is poor or very poor
67% of respondents say the availability of staff to assist them
61% say the provision of ramps
28% give other reasons as to why they think the accessibility of trains is poor or very poor
Direct quotes from respondents
“Variable height between the train and platform. Older people with electric bikes would also benefit from being able to use ramps etc. System needs to be more flexible to enable on demand travel rather than having to pre-book.”
“Sometimes the positioning of platforms to trains is higher than I would like. My wife struggles to get on and off and would be unable to do this if it were not for me.”
“Noticed disabled passengers struggle to get on and off in time, and lack of staff.”
“Having to book assistance hours in advance makes it hard to be spontaneous.”
“Having to request help in advance doesn’t help independence. Then ramps & staff don’t show, and you’re stuck and reliant on the kindness of passengers. It’s humiliating and disempowering.”
“There is not enough space to manoeuvre in and out of wheelchair spaces, especially with a mobility scooter (that should fit according to the train company).”
“I need a step not a ramp. I use a walking stick and not a wheelchair, so steep ramps going to high trains are hard for me to manage.”
