Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effects of the planned introduction of driver-only operations by Arriva Rail North on disabled passengers.

As part of their licence to operate, each train operating company is required to have a Disabled Persons’ Protection Policy (DPPP) in place. This sets out the level of services and facilities that disabled passengers can expect, how to get staff assistance, and how to get help if things do go wrong. Each operator is also required to participate in the Passenger Assist system which allows disabled passengers to book staff assistance when they require it.

In many instances across the country, staff on the platform are readily available to help disabled passengers. Train crew have a role too, however there is no link between accessibility and driver-only operation running of trains. For example on Southern Rail, 98% of trains that are operated by the driver retain a second member of staff on the train, who can help both able bodied and disabled passengers.