3. Business As Usual – Leads Update

Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland Annual Report 2020-2021

3. Business As Usual – Leads Update

During this year, and as part of our succession planning, we sought expressions of interest from existing Committee members for Workstream Leads positions. These positions come with increased accountability as well as an increased time commitment. We had one unplanned and immediate vacancy and took the opportunity to recruit for this, and to plan for the retirement of three of our current Workstream Leads at the end of September 2021, as they complete their second term and eight years with MACS. Mighty big shoes to fill.

This succession planning activity was a great success and for those working more closely with us, you will see some of the personnel changes this year.

Leads Update

Much of MACS work is conducted through Workstreams. Leadership for each area is provided by the Workstream Leads.

Planning and Strategy

David Hunter is the Co-Lead of the Planning and Strategy Workstream, sharing responsibility with myself as Convener. The team also includes the other Workstream Leads ensuring connection across all areas of the Committee’s work and preventing silo working. This year’s main achievements include:

  • Responding to Covid-19 – this Workstream has been heavily involved in the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group (TTP NAG) and the Transport Equalities Network (TEN). These forums were set up to move through the stages of the route map out of lockdown.
  • MACS had significant input into the EqIA underpinning the TTPs at all stages. In progressing the EqIAs, MACS continued to take a collaborative approach, working with key stakeholders, to develop a robust evidence base assessment of the proposed policy actions, to inform the TTP decision making process and publication. It has become apparent that while the evidence currently available on the impacts of the pandemic on disabled people and transport inequalities is limited, the pandemic has had a particularly negative impact on disabled people and their mobility. At the early stages of the pandemic MACS prepared guidance to transport operators on the needs and requirements of disabled people.
  • This work was undertaken at pace with short turn-around but has since been shared across the four nations and other platforms. MACS also contributed to a major study on the impact of the pandemic on transport and health inequalities, produced by Public Health Scotland.
  • https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/media/2850/transport-use-health-and-health-inequalities-oct2020-english.pdf )
  • NTS2 Delivery Board – As well as David contributing to the NTS Delivery Board, members of the Planning and Strategy Workstream continued to support the NTS2 Delivery Team in relation to the NTS2 Delivery Plan and the Working with Partners Document and through membership of the NTS2 Delivery Board sub groups. MACS also liaised closely with Transport Scotland on the new Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2), which will guide major investments in transport for years to come, to ensure that accessibility is a key consideration throughout.
  • https://www.transport.gov.scot/our-approach/strategy/strategic-transport-projects-review-2/
  • TS Analytical Team – David and the Convener have had several meetings with the team. These meetings were in an attempt to develop a database and data set that can measure the travel patterns of disabled people, to assist with measuring the “reduces inequalities” elements of the NTS2. In discussion with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, there was a welcoming of the concept of “reducing the mobility gap” and it is hoped that collecting the right information will help to identify and measure this. These meetings will continue.
  • Motability – MACS concerns on various aspects of Motability remain and were again raised in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People. In the main, this was in relation to the value for money (vfm) element of the scheme and MACS proposed that an annual dividend from the profits generated should be returned to customers each year. A copy of the letter was also copied to other Ministers, to the Chairs of Westminster Select Committees (who have an interest in and have been scrutinising the Scheme) and to the Accessible Vehicle and Equipment Scheme (AVES) lead within the Scottish Government. (AVES is the new Scheme which accredits “Motability-type” services in Scotland. Motability is currently the sole accredited delivery partner.) Thereafter MACS were given an update on how the AVES was developing and the key points are below.
    • The roll-out of Child Disability Payment will commence from 26 July 2021 in three local authorities (Perth and Kinross Council, Dundee City Council and Western Isles Council), with the new replacement for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Adult Disability Payment due in Spring 2022.
    • Spring 2022 will also be around the time when a review of accreditation for AVES will be undertaken. It is hoped that there will be more providers to accredit so that Motability is no longer the sole provider and more flexibility and customer interaction can be achieved. MACS will be involved in this process, which is very much welcomed.
    • MACS suggested that bicycles should also be looked at as a mobility aid.
    • David presented some of MACS findings, concerns and asks on Motability to the Poverty and Inequality Commission’s Board of Commissioners who agreed that there was a need for a review of the vfm aspects of the Scheme.

MACS will continue to raise these issues in arenas such as the NTS2 Delivery Board, and also continue engagement with the Motability charity regarding potential support for access to EV charging and possibly support for community transport.

  • Widening Concessionary Travel to reduce inequalities and make travel more affordable – David and the Convener met with a sub group of the NTS Delivery Board to discuss the exclusion of some disabled people from concessionary travel schemes. These exclusions include individuals who qualify for concessionary travel, but have no options due to a lack of bus services, or where their needs require a more bespoke door-to-door journey. Options discussed included exploring a more consistent taxi card scheme across the 32 Local Authority areas and/or looking at using concessionary travel on community transport, where there are no registered bus services. Rail, ferry and tram concessions also vary widely from one place to the next. These result in a widening inequality which needs to be addressed. Agreement was reached that the Accessible Travel Policy team would undertake some exploratory work in the summer to better understand where the CTA and other community transport groups are plugging the gaps. This is an area MACS will continue to push in attempt to address this area and to reduce inequalities.
  • Recruitment, Selection and Succession Planning – The Planning and Strategy Workstream have also been heavily involved in the MACS recruitment and selections process, successfully recruiting six new members. A brief introduction to the new members is given in Section 7 (Meet our Committee).
  • Sharing Knowledge and Research – The Planning and Strategy, Roads, Infrastructure and Active Travel Workstreams have fed into different strands of work relating to inclusive design and best practice in creating inclusive spaces and accessible infrastructure; for example, Spaces for People – (SfP). The workstream also linked into the Transport Research Laboratory and Department for Transport (DfT) work and thinking on the review of good practice guides such as Inclusive Mobility and Cycling by Design.

The Planning and Strategy Workstream frequently review the activity of the Committee, share learning and agree areas of focus that will make the biggest difference to the travel needs of disabled people and older people. These meetings form part of the Committee’s annual planning cycle and link to the production of the Work Plans.

Ferries and Aviation

Hilary Stubbs is MACS Vice Convener and leads the Ferries and Aviation Workstream. She is supported by Linda Bamford and Naghat Ahmed.

Below are some of this year’s key achievements, although it should be noted that due to Covid-19 and travelling restrictions across Scotland, demand and capacity levels on ferries have been continually monitored. Transport Scotland officials have been engaging with ferry operators throughout to ensure that services have been maintained at an appropriate level. This has involved a balanced approach to ensure that lifeline connectivity relied upon by communities and island economies is maintained.

In this reporting year Hilary has joined the Steering Group looking at the long-term vessel and infrastructure requirements of the Gourock-to-Dunoon passenger ferry service. The Group included representatives from Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), CalMAC Ferries Ltd and Argyll and Bute Council. Hilary also responded to the Consultation on Policy Proposal for Section 9 Review of Decisions – Islands (Scotland) Act.

The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires Scottish Ministers to establish, by regulations, provision about review of decisions of relevant authorities relating to island communities impact assessments under section 8(1) of the Act. A copy of MACS response is available on our website and the link is available within Appendix One.

Through MACS involvement in the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group and the Transport Equalities Network, Hilary was asked to input to the draft Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA). MACS knowledge was sought in relation to the dependence of island communities on ferry services.

Two of the main issues fed in to be addressed were:

1. The joining up of onward transport i.e. buses and trains and the introduction of amended timetables, which can pose barriers to disabled people and requires to be emphasised in the assessment;

2. The carriage of dogs on ferries. Those kept in cars do not require being booked; however, those which are to be taken on deck or inside the passenger area require pre-booking however, assistance/support dogs are exempt. MACS recommendation was to advocate that assistance/support dogs should be given priority/exemption on all ferries and to make this clear in messaging.

Through a meeting with Transport Scotland’s Ferries Team MACS are pleased to report that the design specifications for both the harbour development at Ardrossan and the new ferries (which are currently being built) have included many of MACS “asks” for accessible and inclusive travel. In particular the ferries will have a Changing Place toilet facility, wider corridors, electric doors, improved staircases with double handrails, coloured stair nosing and accessible catering facilities. The MACS team can be proud of the work they have done to encourage these inclusive developments.

Additionally this year the Committee met with the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, and in a follow-up meeting with Transport Scotland Ferries Team they were asked to comment on the draft National Islands Route Map 2020-2025.

Again this year saw Hilary support the airports in their assessments for the Civil Aviation Authority grading of assistance as well as supporting the Ferries Accessibility Fund Round 6. As with previous rounds MACS (Hilary) has been part of the decision making process and supported the four successful applications, which will bring benefits to communities throughout Scotland.

Initial work has also started on the Island Connectivity Plan and Hilary found herself working with the other devolved nations on post Brexit regulations for assistance in relation to cross border travel.

It is worth mentioning that future tenders for publicly-funded ferry services must include a system that improves the level of accessibility information; below are a few examples of this on both CalMac and Serco Northlink Ferries.

  • The travelling public can view information on the help available to passengers by visiting the CalMac website and from the homepage follow the links to “Travelling with Us”, “Help for Passengers”, and “Passenger Assistance”, which will take them to the following webpage:

    https://www.calmac.co.uk/travelling-with-calmac/help-for-passengers/passenger-assistance
  • Due to the varied nature of the CalMac network the facilities at ports vary from unmanned slipways to ports with a small port office or a large ferry terminal. Passengers can check in advance the facilities that are available at each port by visiting this webpage:

    https://www.calmac.co.uk/destinations/ports
  • The accessibility information system can be viewed on the Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) website and will evolve to include standardised symbols developed in consultation with the MACS and the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC). Their accessibility policy with more details can be found here:

    https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk/legal/accessibility-policy/
  • In addition to the accessible information system, Serco NorthLink are working on a project to develop a braille information system covering various items such as a general guide to areas on board, facilities and emergency procedures.
  • British Sign Language users can contact SNF via an interpreter provided by Sign Solutions. This system allows customers to video call an interpreter who will in turn phone SNF’s customer service team. This system also works within their terminals too with all terminals having the capability to video call an interpreter so SNF can best understand customers’ requirements. This service can be found here:

    www.northlinkferries.co.uk/sign-language-interpreter-service/

Other SNF initiatives to assist passengers include:

Bus and Community Transport

Audrey Birt picked up the mantle as Workstream Lead from our dear colleague Sheila Fletcher. Audrey is supported by Joanne Devitt.

Below are some of the workstream’s key achievements this reporting year. However, it is right to note that bus patronage has been severely impacted due to Covid-19, down by up to 85% in the first national lockdown and by 60% on average since then with the industry receiving continued Government financial assistance to maintain safe capacity.

However, due to capacity constraints as a result of physical distancing, and reduced demand due to restrictions on travel, operators have had to make difficult decisions about where best to deploy their fleets. As a condition of government funding, operators are required to consult and co-operate with local transport authorities and health boards to minimise public transport connectivity disadvantages, including for island and rural communities, and to keep services and demand under review.

The workstream members have been involved in a number of meetings with regard to bus and community transport as well as progressing work on taxi provision. Audrey agreed to be the MACS representative on the Grampian Health and Transport Action Plan (HTAP) Steering Group. MACS had a particular interest in this work as it linked to their work on Transport to Health and Social Care. The purpose of the action plan is to:

“enable providers of transport, health and social care services to work together in a more coordinated manner in order to improve outcomes and efficiency of service delivery, both in reducing the adverse impacts of transport choices on public health and in improving access to health and social care.”

Audrey will seek to harness and share the innovation used during lockdown and bring this into MACS work with Scottish Government Health colleagues and Transport Scotland’s Accessible Travel Framework Annual Delivery Plan in 2021-22. This should also help with the links MACS fostered to Transport to Health and Social Care within the NTS2.

Several meetings have also taken place with the Community Transport Association (CTA) to discuss their role during the recovery phase of the route map out of lockdown as well as discussions around their future plans and where this could assist with elements of the Transport to Health and Social Care recommendations and with the NTS2.

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/47020/subgroup-transport-to-health-report.pdf

More regular meetings have been set up to keep each other better informed of progress.

As a cross-over between two workstreams, Keith Robertson (Roads, Infrastructure and Active Travel Workstream Lead) also undertook work with the Energy Saving Trust who are carrying out some work for Transport Scotland based on barriers and issues that may be faced by Community Transport (CT) in the transition to low emission vehicles. Keith raised the reliance of CT in rural communities and also that funding, to maintain sustainability and stability, was an issue of concern to MACS. Keith also raised the need for CT to be given the same priority as bus, taxi and private hire services and to be recognised as a vital lifeline service.

MACS have been consistent in their ask for the CTA to be seated at the National, Regional and Local Transport planning tables, including when planning transport to medical appointments. During the pandemic it has been recognised that the CTA has stepped up to fill gaps and has been a great assistance in the vaccination programme.

These improvements, and the person-centered service delivery models, cannot be lost!

In relation to taxi and private hire vehicles, MACS undertook a survey in late 2020, to look at the use of taxi cards, which were the only way for many disabled people to source support for use of taxis in their Council area. 32 Local Authority areas were asked to take part with only 13 responding to the survey. MACS found the findings of the survey discouraging, and have concluded that there is a need for some research into how a demand-responsive, integrated taxi, community transport approach could be developed.

Covid-19 has certainly thrown up challenges, which suggests that going back to normal is not an option. Normal didn’t work for many disabled people. MACS are continuing to discuss this with both Transport Scotland’s Accessible Travel Policy Team and colleagues who have responsibility for Mobility as a Service (MaaS). It is hoped that a good practice guide will be produced in the coming months.

It is also important to take forward any learning from the issues raised by the pandemic. Bus service in rural areas is a significant issue and the future needs to ensure a solution beyond the current situation. Evidence from success and good practice during the pandemic would suggest that Community Transport would have a critically important role to play.

Roads Infrastructure

Keith Robertson leads the Roads, Infrastructure and Active Travel Workstream. Keith is supported by Susan Fulton, David Hunter, Naghat Ahmed, Michael Tornow, Fraser Sutherland and Joanne Devitt.

Below are some of the workstream’s key achievements.

  • Urgent correspondence to the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner (SRWC) – Keith contacted the SRWC early into the first lockdown in 2020, asking if contact could be made to utility companies, Local Authorities and Transport Scotland as a matter of urgency, requesting to either remove or re-site roadworks signs or any other obstructions and barriers created by roadworks temporarily abandoned because of the pandemic from pathways, to make the throughways accessible. The request also asked that they be especially sparing with roadwork signs across Scotland, to ensure pedestrians have enough space for physical distancing. MACS suggestions being that road signs, which might usually be on footways could be on the carriageway, given the reduced level of traffic and our drive to remove pavement clutter. MACS also note that the Road Works Commissioner has changed. The new commissioner is Kevin Hamilton who introduced himself at a recent MACS meeting and hopefully the fruitful relationship between MACS and the SRWC will continue.
  • Inclusive Mobility and Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces – Keith has continued to be a member of the Steering Group to progress this work. As well as updating the Committee accordingly, he has engaged with DfT on the re-write of the aforementioned documents. A consultant has been appointed by them to progress this work, working alongside the Steering Group. A number of workshops have been held throughout the year involving a pan-disability representatives. It is hoped that this work will be concluded by the middle of 2021.
  • Roads for All Forum – This forum has continued throughout the pandemic virtually and has facilitated discussions on temporary streetscapes, cycling by design, inclusive street design and other general issues raised by disabled people. Particular focus from MACS, although not within the jurisdiction of the Roads for All Forum, was in relation to the issue of widening of pedestrian space to accommodate physical distancing, “Spaces for People”, and the lack of access for disabled people in and around these temporary works. A copy of “Temporary Street Works” guide produced by MACS was sent to the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Sustrans Scotland and Transport Scotland.
  • E-Scooters – The opportunity was also taken to raise concerns over the draft consultation on the trials of e-scooters in England and Wales and the MACS consultation submission was shared with Transport Scotland officials and Roads for All members to ensure they were kept updated on the emerging legislation.
  • Cycling by Design – Progress has been impacted by Covid-19. The guidance has now been evaluated by the working group and is expected to be published shortly.
  • Inclusive Design in Town Centres and Busy Street Areas – The workstream continued to be an essential part of the Inclusive Design in Town Centres and Busy Streets working group. The WSP Research was published in February this year;

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/49143/inclusive-design-in-town-centres-and-busy-street-areas-transport-scotland-research-report.pdf

Work is now ongoing to take the relevant Guidance forward, which will look at both physical design principles and inclusive engagement.

  • Living Streets Walking Summit – This reporting year has also seen Keith provide a keynote speech at the Living Streets Walking Summit webinar where he presented on the need for streetscapes to be clear of barriers, obstacles and signage clutter. He gave detailed examples and emphasised the need for our streets to be available for everyone regardless of their mobility needs or disability.
  • Countryside For All Guide – MACS attended the initial meeting of the “Reviewing the Countryside for All Guide.” The rewrite of this guide will be undertaken once funding has been identified.
  • Enterprise Scotland Challenge Fund –This year also saw MACS involvement in assessing for the Enterprise Scotland Challenge Fund, formed to look at using technology and innovative methods to make electric vehicle charging more accessible to disabled people. MACS continues to be involved with both Enterprise Scotland and some of the successful organisations.

Active Travel

This has been another busy year in relation to active travel especially in MACS response to “Spaces for People”, which were designed to respond to the public health emergency by creating space to enable people to safely physically distance whilst walking, wheeling and cycling. Measures have included temporary 20 mph speed limits, pop-up cycle tracks, road closures and footway widening; in some instances, buses have also been re-routed and bus stops removed.

David Hunter and Keith Robertson produced and circulated MACS guidance on good access for councils planning temporary street measures, in May 2020 and (updated) in October 2020.

https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/48310/temporary-street-measures-during-coronavirus-crisis-october-2020.pdf

This was distributed to road authorities and key stakeholders, including Local Authorities, and shared via MACS Twitter platform. The substance of the guidance was also raised at both the Transport Transition Plan National Advisory Group and the Transport Equalities Network to highlight the issues being faced by disabled people.

The Convener also contacted Sustrans directly to offer MACS support both in their work around improving the public realm for active travel and in response to the current health crisis and continued need for physical distancing. MACS main interests are to ensure that any emerging initiatives for both temporary and subsequent permanent schemes account for the needs of disabled people and follow good practice guidelines around accessibility.

Sustrans also picked up on the blog written by the Convener on “social distancing as a wheelie” that was submitted to the Accessible Travel Hub - https://accessibletravel.scot/ who had asked to share this with their contacts in Local Authorities, and through other networks, to highlight some of the current challenges and barriers from a lived experience perspective. This blog was shared extensively with the need for every council in Scotland to be responding to the issues identified and not just a selected few.

MACS have continued to stress the need for good quality and consistent EqIA’s to be undertaken in their discussions with Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.

In June last year, Susan Fulton attended the National Walking Forum meeting where a number of items were discussed including accessibility for disabled people and in particular the quality of the EqIA’s that must be carried out by local authorities when delivering a SfP Scheme. Susan will continue to attend virtually and focus on looking at the quality of EqIA’s as well as how Local Authorities engage with disabled people, including monitoring, measuring and evaluating works after completion.

As, where appropriate, and where there is local support, these temporary structures move to permanence, David Hunter and Keith Robertson remain available to assist Transport Scotland, Sustrans and Local Authorities further.

One of the areas that the Convener has been actively pursuing is the exclusion of disabled people in bike and e-bike hire schemes. The Convener has raised this several times and provided examples of new hire schemes being introduced that fail to provide non-standard hire options. The Convener continues to raise this with Ministers, Transport Scotland Active Travel Policy Team, with Local Authorities and via Cycling Scotland.

In response to the Convener’s concerns the Sustainable Travel team created and facilitated a Short Life Working Group with representation from MACS to assess the demand for non standard bike share. It was agreed that a survey would be launched to assess demand and ensure any solution implemented is sustainable, evidence based and right for the community it will serve. The survey went live on 31 May 2021.

Work in this area will continue, particularly as the Active Travel budget sees record increases, and to ensure disabled people are not left behind and excluded in these investments or with emerging opportunities.

MACS will continue to reach out to engage closely with the Active Nation Commissioner (Lee Craigie) to work together to ensure consistent and clear messaging around inclusive active travel.

Ending on some good news MACS, through discussions and dialogue, were able to secure an uplift from £50 to £100 on the bike and wheelchair voucher repair scheme which went live on 3 August 2020.

https://www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/scotland-cycle-repair-scheme/

This now also covers repairs and maintenance to non-standard bikes and wheelchairs (brakes, tyres), which can be costly.

Rail

Marsali Craig and Hussein Patwa co-lead this workstream. They are assisted by Fraser Sutherland, Michael Tornow and Susan Fulton.

Below are some of the workstream’s key achievements this year, however it would be remiss not to put this work in the context of the past year and especially, note the impacts on rail. ScotRail total passenger volumes in the financial year 2020/2021 were down 84 percent on the year before. At certain times, during the last year, volumes were down 90 percent on the previous year. New and reduced timetables have been operating throughout, although it should be noted that timetable changes were developed in consultation with key stakeholders including NHS Boards.

Also, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity announced on 17 March 2021 that the Operator of Last Resort (OLR) will run ScotRail services after the end of the current franchise contract in March 2022 thus bringing rail services within public hands and under Scottish Government control, providing certainty for passengers and rail staff alike. The coming year will not be without its challenges for the rail industry as the industry and Government understand and respond to the ongoing impact of Covid-19.

In this context the Rail Workstream continued to engage during this period in the acknowledgement that the current public health crisis had significantly reduced and constrained the pace of work on areas they covered within their work programme for 2020-2021. This was in line with the diminished number of passengers (as above), using the network and the emergency footing adopted by Train Operating Companies (TOCs).

  • Passenger Assistance The Rail Workstream’s primary focus during this period was to ensure passenger assistance remained available and fit for purpose for disabled passengers making essential journeys. Particular attention was given to the guidance for staff and passengers that had been issued by rail operators, which offers sufficient flexibility to take account of pan-disability needs, whilst maintaining the spirit of the physical distancing guidelines mandated by Government. Steps were taken to ensure this guidance was widely distributed to disabled people via the MACS networks and Twitter platform and through their relationships and network of Disabled People Organisations (DPOs) and Disability Organisations (DOs).

MACS were pleased to note that despite demand being severely suppressed ScotRail strove to ensure that assistance was made available to those who continued to require it. In consultation with DPO’s and DOs, ScotRail implemented a number of agreed physical distancing measures.

ScotRail also met their target of reducing the requirement to book Passenger Assistance to just one hour in April 2021. This is indeed good news and well outstrips that of other train operators within the UK.

  • Mystery Shopping The Workstream became aware of a number of initiatives proposed by Train Operating Companies (TOCs), such as mystery shopping and use of the minor works budget, to benefit disabled people, encourage travel, and improve service quality that have not been deployed, despite this being a condition of their franchise award.

MACS anticipate taking forward discussions with Transport Scotland’s Rail and Accessibility Teams once the current lockdown conditions and the pressure of the current health crisis has eased.

MACS are however aware that permission was obtained from Transport Scotland to postpone the assisted travel mystery shopping in 2019 and defer the funds into 2020 to deliver a more wide ranging mystery shop that took better account of representatives with hidden disabilities. As a consequence of the pandemic ScotRail have had to postpone all fieldwork due to a prohibition on non-essential travel. They intend to recommence this assisted travel mystery shopping later in 2021.

  • Minor Works Programme 2020-2021 During this reporting period the Rail Workstream have also provided scrutiny, as a mandated stakeholder, of the ScotRail Minor Works Programme for 2020-2021 with concerns raised and advice provided as appropriate. They also acknowledged and welcomed the removal of inaccessible rolling stock on the Fife Circle, after focused engagement in this area to reduce inequalities.
  • Edinburgh Trams Project (Phase 2) MACS were also cited as a valuable stakeholder in relation to providing advice and input into the design of Phase 2 of the Edinburgh Trams project. This included identifying specific challenges which may face visually impaired people using tram stops and proposing potential solutions to those challenges. This builds on the work MACS engaged in during Phase 1 of the project. The fact the design research team were signposted to MACS is a strong indicator of the recognition the committee has as a source of expert knowledge of and by disabled people and based on its success in past engagements.
  • Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) The workstream also noted the extensions for exemptions to compliance with PSVAR, which were made until 31 December 2020 by the UK Department for Transport. MACS continue to remind TOCs of their obligation to provide transport for disabled people which is timely, accessible and suitable for their needs in the event that train services are disrupted (and regardless of these extensions).
  • Office of Rail and Road (ORR) Accessibility Stakeholder Forum The workstream continued its representation on the ORR Accessibility Stakeholder Forum with oversight and comment on the Accessible Travel Policies issued by Scottish TOCs and the Passenger Assist handover protocol, a procedure designed to ensure that information on passengers needing assistance is passed on from one stage of their journey to another in real time by the staff assisting them.
  • Rail Delivery Group The workstream also started attending the Passenger Engagement Forum run by the Rail Delivery Group, providing constructive feedback on the design and implementation of the new Passenger Assist booking app schedule for rollout in 2021-2022.
  • ScotRail Stakeholder Equalities Group The workstream took the opportunity to raise awareness with both Transport Scotland and the ScotRail Stakeholder Equalities Group where concerns lay including those relating to the lack of EqIA’s prior to the provision of guidance for assistance to passengers responding to the Covid-19 crisis.

As we move forward in the coming reporting year our August 2021 Development Day will be themed around rail and this will allow for the sharing of knowledge amongst the full Committee and a handover to the new Rail Workstream Leads, who will take our areas of engagement forward.