- 24% of our sample rated availability of suitable spaces on trains in Portsmouth poorly, with this most likely to affect those with Wheelchairs/Mobility Scooters (42%)
- The most prominent reason for the poor rating of availability of suitable spaces on trains is due to limited or no provision for wheelchairs, mentioned by half of the respondents (50%)
- Limited or lack of priority seating available was also a strongly contributing factor, stated by 47%
Availability of a space suitable for me on trains
Summary
Why respondents think that the availability of spaces suitable for me on the train is poor or very poor
Base: All rating availability of spaces suitable for me on the train as poor or very poor (113)
This chart shows that when asked why respondents think the availability of spaces suitable for me on the train is poor or very poor
50% of respondents say that there is limited or no provision for wheelchairs
47% of respondents say that there is limited or no priority seating
35% of respondents give other reasons as to why they think that the availability of spaces suitable for me on the train is poor or very poor
12% of respondents say limited or no provision for bicycles on board
Direct quotes from respondents
“I’m a powerchair user and there’s no space or I am forced to squeeze into a space right next to toilets and the bike racks.”
“No space for adapted bikes either e.g. trikes. Cramped provision with wheelchairs/ mobility buggies and bikes often having to share the little allocated space which is generally located by the toilets and therefore a smelly place to be!”
“Limited space for prams.”
“Trains are too narrow for pushchairs to fit onto the train. Only place you can possibly get your pushchair on is in the disabled section, but this designated for wheelchair users only and not for pushchairs. If you have a baby in a pushchair, you cannot use the train!”
“If I fold up my scooter it’s treated as luggage. If I don’t have the strength to fold it up it’s treated like a bicycle. Either way I can’t get help to load it and can’t sit in it on short trips.”
“Do not cater for my all-terrain mobility scooter.”
“Most trains cannot accommodate larger mobility scooters. Disabled spaces often filled by cyclists who cannot be bothered to go a few yards to empty cycle spaces.”
