Trains. In the UK, trains come to a halt at the tiniest inconvenience. This can literally be something like an inch of snow. For some people like Sophie, it seems to snow too often. Not literally, of course.
However, when you have a disability, there are factors that have to be considered. A lot of these factors is hoping that the parties you have to depend on has your back. From carers to disability transport services.
These services are not always available. Unfortunately, it is normal for disabled people in the UK to be treated as third class citizens. Needed spaces are filled up without consideration, help is not given when requested in advance. I personally drive. Driving has given me the freedom to be where I need to be when I want to be. But there are people who do not have that luxury. People who are too visibly impaired to hold a licence, people who have epilepsy and various other conditions that make it impossible for them to drive. Even with the help of Motability, a charity that gets disabled people on the move, they are unable to drive.
So what do people do in this situation. They use the only mode of transport available to them. Public.
The below reblogged post was written by Sophie from the Life of Sophie Abel, she’s a good friend of mine. Do check out her blog post linked below.
Thoughts on the post
There are many stories of disabled people being excluded from different types of transport. Whether that’s the planes, trains or… any automobile really (if you know, you know)
Problems can range from the attitude of others who are using the same transport, the drivers, the staff on the platform… Or just the available support so that you can access whichever service you are trying to.
Sophie discusses the issues she has with the UK train service. Specifically Cross-Country when it comes to accessibility. I don’t use public transport often. As I said, driving gives me freedom. However, there are times when I had to use it (looks in the direction of London). It is scary and frightening. I wouldn’t be able to use it if I wasn’t with someone.
If I was by myself, I would be too scared to ask for someone to give me a priority seat. You never know how people are going to react. We have a horrible violence streak in the UK when you challenge someone in public.
So, something needs to be done. Disabled people need to feel safe using public transport. They need to know that they can rely on services. That they will have a priority seat. That the wheelchair space is going to be free and not taken by standing people when the train is overcrowded. They need to feel like they are not third person citizens.
Public transport needs a lot of work.
If you haven’t already, do have a look at it and don’t forget to follow Sophie.
Quick update on me
I am unable to blog myself. I’m being kept on my toes by the University of Derby, but then what do you expect when you are in your final year?
The amount of work is also preventing me from thinking of what to write so I would love to hear your ideas? I will get to them eventually, I’m sure! But I am really enjoying this year though.
I have my dissertation coming up and other coursework, so it’s really no wonder I didn’t have time to post. Some of you might be at university yourself and understand. Maybe you commute. Use the train. In which case, I hope you will sympathise with Sophie.
What would you like to see next on Little Sea Bear? Comment below.
If you enjoyed this post, why not have a look at some of my posts around disability? There are some really good ones on here, so feel free to explore.
Please follow us either on Facebook and Bluesky 🙂
~Shannon~