The London Assembly has today agreed a motion asking the Mayor should to ensure all TfL staff are adequately trained to assist disabled passengers appropriately.
Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion said:
“It is sadly still the case that our city’s public transport network is simply not accessible enough for Londoners with disabilities. Disabled passengers should receive not only the assistance they need also the respect they deserve.
“Recent press reports of mobility impaired passengers being publicly identified as the reason behind train delays are very concerning. These instances only serve to make a stressful situation even more distressing for people with disabilities.
“It would clearly be beneficial for the Mayor to ensure that TfL employees are aware of how to assist disabled passengers in a way which respects their wishes”.
Joanne McCartney AM, who seconded the motion said:
“Even with increased efforts to make London’s transport network more accessible, it can still be a difficult place for people with disabilities to navigate.
“It's important that we ensure TfL staff are both equipped to support passengers with disabilities, and that they’re able to do so in a way that respects the passenger’s choices, independence and dignity.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly urges the Mayor to ensure TfL staff are trained to assist passengers with disabilities by: respecting the passenger’s wishes as to the level of help they require, not drawing unnecessary public attention to the passenger and by providing reasonable assistance to passengers to enable them to travel in the way that they choose.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Andrew Boff AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.