Published: Thursday, 27th November, 2008 10:30
Dunfermline MSP calls for human rights probe into Stagecoach
By Siew Peng Lee
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A WEST Fife politician wants the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate bus operator Stagecoach for failing to provide better disabled access.
Dunfermline East MSP Helen Eadie contacted the commission following a complaint from disabled Rosyth resident Elspeth Duncan (60), who “dreads” using the No. 79 service because of the lack of adaptations for disabled passengers.
Mrs Duncan, who suffers from angina and arthritis, told the Press in September that the service – the only one that passes her house – was “a nightmare” as it was not a low-liner and she struggled to roll her roller walker on and off the steps.
All coaches have to be fully accessible by 2020, but the commission pointed out a provision within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which noted that a failure to “comply with a duty to make reasonable adjustments” may violate the Act.
Mrs Eadie has asked Stagecoach what action it is taking to abide by this legislation in terms of disabled access on the No. 79 service.
Steve Walker, operations Director, Stagecoach East Scotland said that in the firm’s response to Mrs Eadie they detailed their obligation to convert their fleet according to legislation and timescales issued.
He added, “We are constantly upgrading our fleet and are well ahead of schedule for meeting the low floor deadlines in Fife as we have in recent years made large investments in low floor and accessible vehicles across various routes.”
He went on, “We receive numerous requests for specific routes to become low floor, including service 79, which we endeavour to fulfil with continual investment and improvements.
“It is this demand that means we cannot confirm when the 79 specifically will become fully low floor.
"The timescales issued for introducing a fully accessible network are valid across the UK, affecting all bus operators, and it’s not only the Fife area where Stagecoach is continually seeking to improve the fleet over the coming years, ahead of these deadlines.”
However, Mrs Eadie said this did “nothing to address the daily needs” of her constituents, whom she said “struggle to access this service each time they leave their homes”.
She added, “Furthermore, the No. 79 travels to Lynebank Hospital, which means that vulnerable passengers en route to hospital may be prevented from accessing the bus.
“The EHRC notes this situation may breach the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 and I have since requested the EHRC’s assistance in investigating further, with a look to formal action if necessary.”
She said it was “imperative” that everyone – regardless of ability – was able to use Fife’s public transport, and added, “2020 is too long to wait and frankly unacceptable for my disabled constituents.”
Mrs Duncan said she hoped the problem would be fixed soon.
She said, “It’s not myself, but everybody who has problems getting on and off the buses.
“These buses should not be running. They are antiquated and not suitable for disabled access or the elderly.
“Stagecoach have had plenty of time to get new buses or disabled access buses from the time they’ve taken over the running of Fife sServices. They’ve had long enough to renew their buses.”
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