REDUCED ACCESS FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS ON NORTHERN RAIL

That this House notes that 331 of Northern Rail's 527 stations are unstaffed; is concerned that the Government and Northern Rail's proposals to remove the guarantee of a guard on every Northern Rail train will mean many people with disabilities will not be able to turn up and go and travel if there is no guarantee of a second member of staff to assist them on and off the train; understands that where Driver-Only Operation on Southern Rail has recently been introduced there have been a number of instances of wheelchair users being stranded at stations; believes that by removing train guards Northern Rail will be in breach of Rail Vehicle Access Regulations that require every train to have a ramp and staff to operate the ramp for passengers who require assistance; and calls on the Government, Rail North and Northern Rail to protect disabled passengers’ access to Northern Rail services by retaining the guarantee of a guard on every train.