Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help increase the accessibility of transport for people with disabilities in Fylde.

Accessibility and inclusivity are key considerations for the government, especially as we seek to deliver against our key missions, including removing barriers to opportunity and delivering safer streets. The government is committed to making transport safer, more inclusive and accessible to everyone including people who are disabled, to allow them to live healthy lives, making the journeys they want and need.

The Department introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December 2024. The Bill will require relevant bus staff to complete both disability awareness and disability assistance training to give them the knowledge, skills and confidence to support every passenger appropriately. It will also require local authorities commissioning the provision of new bus stations and stops or the upgrading of existing ones to pay regard to new stopping place safety and accessibility guidance.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. Local buses are the most commonly used mode of public transport and the purpose of providing free local bus travel England-wide is to ensure that no older or disabled person in England need be prevented from bus travel by cost alone.

The Government wants disabled people to be able to travel easily, confidently, and with dignity, which is why we have worked quickly to put accessibility at the heart of our bus and rail reforms. It is important that government, local authorities and transport operators work together to support services that help people to live their lives the way they want to.