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Minister Ross said; “I am very aware of the difficulties faced by people with disabilities who use public transport. In January I welcomed the introduction of the DART pilot project which involved reducing the notice period for assistance with travel from 24 hours to 4 hours.
“Today I welcome the publication by Irish Rail of the first report on this pilot project. I know that this is just a step in our battle to make the use of public transport by people with disabilities as convenient and stress free as possible, but it is a very important step on the way to having no notice period required, and one that needs to be monitored effectively. I am very eager to see how the pilot progresses and how well it delivers in improving experience of public transport for people with disabilities.”
The first report on the pilot covers the period 29th January to 25th February and is now available on Irish Rail’s website. Irish Rail will publish further monthly reports on the pilot in due course.
The Minister added; “It is obvious to me that, as we try to improve services in public transport for people with disabilities, the most appropriate expert voice that needs to be heard is their own. The publication of the DART project report gives me the opportunity to highlight that the closing date for applications to the Boards of the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus has been extended by one week to 27th April.
“I am committed to ensuring that all State-owned public transport companies under my remit have at least one board member who has personal knowledge and experience of the needs and difficulties of people with disabilities using public transport. If you are committed to eliminating difficulties faced by people with disabilities who use public transport please check out this website.
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