We often get asked by people in London whether their wheelchair or mobility scooter can be taken on public transport, as this can be vital for getting around. In recent years, Transport for London has had a drive to make trains and buses more accessible to disabled people, and we can provide an update on their improvements to the Tube network.
The Tube saw boarding ramps introduced in 2012, and these are being rolled out to an increasing number of stations, to assist those for whom "minding the gap" is a real problem. Several lines are now being served by low-floor trains, and we have even seen these in use on the District line local to us. The number of these trains in service is set to increase, and they should be present on 40% of the tube network by the end of 2016.
Of course, getting onto the train is not the only access issue for disabled users, which is why more stations are getting step-free access. This includes several National Rail stations in our area, such as Putney and New Malden. TfL is also intending to ensure that all the Crossrail stations have step-free access, after concerns were raised about existing stations on the route lacking this facility. Another innovation is wide-aisle gates, which are now available at two thirds of the stations throughout the Tube network. More information on using the Tube can be found on Transport for London`s website here, and we will endeavour to bring you further updates on changes to disabled access across the public transport network.
