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[PR] Cullen launches Dublin Bus Travel Assistant Scheme

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  • 10-04-2007 10:45am
    #1
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,282 ✭✭✭✭


    Now if only they could make the lifts work at DART stations. http://forum.platform11.org/showthread.php?t=1111

    http://www.transport21.ie/MEDIA/Press_Releases/Cullen_launches_Dublin_Bus_Travel_Assistant_Scheme.html
    Cullen launches Dublin Bus Travel Assistant Scheme
    Date: 03 April 2007

    A travel assistant scheme, designed to promote the independent use of public transport on Dublin Bus, DART and Luas services for people with mobility or sensory impairments was formally launched today (Tuesday, 3 April 2007) by Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, TD. Dr John Lynch, Chairman of CIÉ also attended the launch of the free scheme, which is being undertaken by Dublin Bus and funded by the Department of Transport.

    The travel assistant scheme is in keeping with ‘Transport Access for All’, the Department of Transport’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The Plan addresses the accessibility needs of people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments across all transport modes and contains time-bound targets for the progressive realisation of accessible transport in Ireland.

    The scheme is available to anyone who would like to avail of public transport in Dublin but requires assistance in order to build confidence to use services independently. The Dublin Bus Travel Assistant is available during normal working hours from Monday to Friday to assist passengers and to demonstrate the accessibility aspects of public transport. The assistant accompanies the person on their journey, whether on Dublin Bus, the Luas or the Dart. Participants must be aged over 18 years.

    Speaking today, Minister Cullen said: “This is a very innovative undertaking by Dublin Bus and I commend the company on providing this facility. I am also glad to see that Dublin Bus, with the assistance in 2006 and 2007 of Exchequer funding of €45 million, is making good progress in converting its fleet to low-floor wheelchair accessible buses. Low-floor accessible buses currently comprise over 60% of the Dublin Bus fleet. All new buses purchased by the company, are low-floor and wheelchair accessible and have on-board features to assist people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments.”

    The Minister said that significant resources for accessibility are being provided under Transport 21 to facilitate further progress. “Accessibility is being built into new public transport infrastructure projects and funding is also being provided to continue the phased retrofit of existing infrastructure”, he added.

    Since 2000, all major refurbishment projects at bus and rail stations, together with the construction of new stations and the purchase of trains or buses take account of the needs of people with mobility and sensory impairments. Work in this area is now being extended to taxis as well as air and marine passenger transport.

    The contact details for Travel Assistant are: travelassist@dublinbus.ie or 01 7033204.


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