Dept of Transport, Tourism & Sport Accessibility Consultative Committee (ACC) 5 th September 2018 David Lane, Head of Operations and Lynda Maguire, Accessibility and Information Officer We would be glad to have your feedback/comments on our presentation today.
Current position regarding accessible vehicle fleet Below tables shows current Accessibility % by product and 12 month projection based on planned NTA PSO funding and BÉ Expressway funding, for 2018. End 2017 - current Accessible Fleet Product N Y Grand Total % Accessible PSO Urban 217 217 100% PSO Stage Carriage/ Commuter 66 254 320 79% Expressway 32 114 144 78% Grand Total 98 583 681 86% End 2018 - Projection Accessible Fleet Product N Y Grand Total % Accessible PSO Urban 235 235 100% PSO Stage Carriage/ Commuter 48 279 327 85% Expressway 12 134 146 92% Grand Total 60 648 708 92%
City / Town Services All of the City and Town services operated by Bus Éireann have low floor wheelchair accessible buses and are 100% accessible. There is a designated wheelchair space on each bus and wheelchair access to the bus is by an integrated ramp. A wheelchair user has priority for use of this designated area at all times. One occupied Childs buggy or pushchair may be parked in this designated area when it is not occupied by a wheelchair. The fleet purchased in the last few years has a buggy space as well as a wheelchair space. Expressway / Regional Services Wheelchair accessibility is available on a number of Bus Éireann coaches operating on Expressway and Regional services; however, the number of routes is limited due to constraints regarding accessible bus stops. The introduction of additional fully accessible routes is dependent on the provision of suitably accessible bus stops infrastructure. Each wheelchair accessible coach has one wheelchair space, which must be booked 24 hours in advance using our reservation system. This can be done by contacting Bus Éireann Customer Care at 1850 836 611.
Currently we have wheelchair accessibility on the following coach routes Route Number Route Description Wheelchair Accessible Bus Stop at these locations only: Expressway Services Route X1 Dublin to Belfast Dublin Busáras; Dublin Airport, Newry Bus Centre and Belfast Europa Route X2A Dublin to Belfast via Dublin Airport Dublin Busáras; Dublin Airport, and Belfast Europa Route X4 Dublin to Waterford Dublin Busáras, Dublin Airport and Waterford Bus Station Route X5 Dublin to Newry Dublin Busáras, Dublin Airport and Newry Bus Centre Route X12 Dublin to Limerick Dublin Busáras, Dublin Airport and Limerick Route 20/X20 Dublin to Galway Dublin Busáras, Dublin Airport, Athlone and Galway Route 32 Dublin to Letterkenny Dublin Busáras; Dublin Airport, Lifford and Letterkenny Route 40 Waterford to Cork Waterford Bus Station, Dungarvan, Youghal, Killeagh, Castlemartyr and Cork Bus Station
Currently we have wheelchair accessibility on the following coach routes Inter Urban (PSO) Routes Route NX Navan to Dublin Navan Market Square; Beresford Place; Wilton Terrace and O Connell Street Route 109A Navan to Dublin via Dublin Airport Navan (Market Sq.), Kells (Parochial House), Dublin Airport, and DCU Collins Ave Route 109/X Dublin to Cavan Dublin Busáras, Dunshaughlin (Bank of Ireland); Navan (Market Sq), Kells (Parochial House), Virginia (Pauline s) and Cavan Bus Station. Route 109 Dublin to Kells Dublin Busáras, Dunshaughlin Bank of Ireland); Navan (Market Sq), Kells (Parochial House) Route 111 Trim to Dublin Trim and Dublin Busáras Route 430 Galway to Athlone Galway and Athlone Bus Stations Route 456 Galway - Ballina Galway and Ballina Bus Stations
Wheelchair Accessibility on Vehicles On all our vehicles allow a floor space of 1,200mm (length) by 700mm (width) in which to accommodate a wheelchair. The wheelchair accessible coaches in the Bus Éireann fleet are fitted with either a hydraulic wheelchair lift or a ramp and all have a safe working load of 300kg. It is important to note that the weight to be lifted include the wheelchair, its occupant and any other baggage to be lifted. In order to accommodate a wheelchair all coach types require the removal of up to 4 seats. This is not a task that can be carried out by the driver during the service for health and safety reasons and so the seats are removed at the local garage. As well as removing the seats, other equipment (ramp/ lift, floor tracking, restraint clamping system) required for ensuring the safety of the wheelchair passenger during their journey is pre-checked and verified to be present and in working order prior to departure. Our clamping/restraint mechanisms are designed for wheelchairs with marked/suitable restraint points for passenger safety.
Cont d To ensure these checks are carried out and also to ensure a fully accessible coach is correctly allocated to the service required, it is necessary to have an advance booking system in place. Even if seats were permanently removed from the coaches, the other equipment would still need to be checked and verified to be present and in working order prior to the coach departing to collect the wheelchair passenger. The reservation system requires any intending customer to complete the booking at least 24 hours in advance of his/her journey by contacting Bus Éireann customer care on 1850 836 611. In this way customers know if a wheelchair space is available and Bus Éireann can make the necessary arrangements to remove seats in order to accommodate the wheelchair on the vehicle. This reservation system is common practice across other EU countries. At time of booking wheelchair passenger are advised to be at departure point 25 minutes prior to departure time. Services cannot be delayed/diverted to cater for a wheelchair passenger who does not present for the service on time. Coaches are designed to operate on main national, regional and rural roads at higher speeds than city buses. For the safety of the wheelchair passenger and in compliance with EU and Irish Regulations, the wheelchair is required to be securely held in position by restraints connected into the floor of the coach.
Space Required for Wheelchair Accessible Coach with Lift to side Space 2m + 1m + 0.5m = 3.5M 2m for Lift Extension 1m for wheelchair to access lift 0.5m for pavement access Design Template for Accessible Bus Stops finalised by QBN Office in 2009
Bus Stop Infrastructure As mentioned earlier, the bus fleet that operates on City and Town services is 100% wheelchair accessible and does not require booking in advance. Accessible single deck coaches commonly feature wheelchair lifts positioned either through the front entrance door, behind the front wheel or at the rear of the coach. The lift positioned behind the front wheel is the most common arrangement on the Bus Éireann fleet. There are a number of infrastructure issues that need to be addressed in order for the side lift on the high floor coaches to be operated safely. We require a firm 3m square operating area at each bus stop where the lift is to be used. The lift itself extends 2m and 1m is required for wheelchair access. Without this clear operating area customers would encounter difficulties manoeuvring on and off the lift as they would be obstructed by walls etc. or forced to negotiate uneven ground and/or soft verges.
Highline Single Deck Coaches
Double Deck Coaches Kassel Kerbing is still required - angle of ramp for easier access
Accessible Bus Stops for the future We are currently working with the National Transport Authority (NTA) regarding the bus stop infrastructure and to identify vehicle types best suited to the varying needs of all our customers while also suitable for roads and associated infrastructure. We also continue to work closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and local authorities regarding the design of new bus stop development, which will facilitate our customers being collected and delivered at these designated bus stops in a safe manner.
Powered Wheelchairs There can be some difficulties with powered wheelchairs regarding their weight, but also how far out the battery pack protrudes beyond the chair itself, which can make it difficult to secure with the supplied restraints which would be a major concern under health and safety on board our vehicles. Such details will be established with our new permit scheme. Mobility Scooters Mobility scooters are designed to provide outdoor mobility as an alternative to other forms of private and public transport. They are primarily designed to be used on pavements and roads and are not necessarily designed to be carried on public transport vehicles. As a result some mobility scooters can be large, heavy and/or difficult to manoeuvre, and may not be easily transported in all our vehicles. Consequently, it may not be possible to carry all mobility scooters based on health and safety reasons relating to their size, weight, fuel and restraint requirements. Mobility scooters can be carried on our city and town services only. Details will be established with our Assessment Certificate for Travel scheme. Due to coach type vehicles being limited to 100kph we are unable to carry Mobility Scooters on board due to the speed permitted and as it is not a city bus, (speed permitted 65Kph), a mobility scooter would be a dangerous unrestrained load and present a high risk.
All Class one scooters have the gel type of battery displayed in the photo, note the legend of an aeroplane. This is approved for travel on aircraft. The battery is a Gel type battery, also the overall weight of the parts when they are taken apart are manageable. The class 2 scooters may not have Gel batteries and also present some manual handling risks for staff. We will consider taking a policy decision to only carry Class one Scooters as Class 2 and 3 get heavy and bulky and have wet batteries which are not suitable for travel/carriage. The one important point is that the airplane legend on the battery box is the one thing that defines this as being a Class 1 scooter. It can be difficult to recognise the difference between a Class 1 & 2 but this identifies a Class 1 only. Mobility Scooters and Batteries
Proposed changes in policy regarding powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters The safety of all our customers and staff is of paramount importance to Bus Éireann. There are times when we must update our accessibility policies with regard to the carriage of mobility aids in relation to our vehicles. This change of policy always follows a thorough assessment carried out by our Chief Risk & Safety Officer, Health and Safety Officer and our Training Manager. Consequently we are currently in the process of updating our policy regarding powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as follows: Mobility scooter and powered wheelchair users must ensure they have their powered wheelchair and/or mobility scooter assessed and approved as suitable for carriage on our services before being allowed to travel. This approval needs to cover both the design of the powered wheelchair and mobility scooter and the ability of the user to control and manoeuvre it safely into the space provided on-board our city buses. We will then issue an assessment certificate to the user for their powered wheelchair and/or scooter. To have this assessment carried out users will be asked to contact their local Bus Éireann office, for further information see www.buseireann.ie We would be glad to have your comments and feedback.
Assessment Certificate Scheme The permit will have name, card number, date of issue and expiry year, make and serial number of the scooter/powered wheelchair. On the back will be our Terms and Conditions for travel. The permit will be a sticky type attached to the powered wheelchair/scooter that if removed, will tear. The following terms and conditions will also be included: 1. The card can only be used by the person named on it. 2. Mobility scooter/powered wheelchair must be in good working order 3. This does not allow the bearer to travel free 4. The mobility scooter/powered wheelchair must not be overloaded 5. Drivers have the right to refuse you access for safety reasons 6. This card is issued subject to the bye laws, regulations and terms and conditions in the publication and notices of Bus Éireann We will proceed with a scooter assessment certificate system and we are considering adding powered wheelchairs to ensure customers are guaranteed to be carried and protect the safety of the user and other customers and staff.
Example of Proposed Assessment Certificate Credit/Leap Card Size 2018 This Mobility Scooter has been Approved for Travel on our City & Town services Only
Mobility Scooters There are occasions when we have assisted customers to travel on our coach services when they have small lightweight mobility scooters for storage and carriage in the coach luggage hold. We would need to check on the passengers ability to board / does the scooter fold / what is the weight of the scooter / can it be stored in boot of coach / does it need to be tied down? The mobility scooter must break down into separate parts each weighing no more than 20kg. This would also be subject to the following conditions: We are notified at least 24 hours before your journey; details of the size, make and model of the mobility scooter so we can check with the manufacturer and ensure it is suitable for carriage on the coach; we will advise suitability of your mobility scooter for carriage on our coaches; the mobility scooter must break down into separate parts each weighing no more than 20kg. Due to the different duties we ask our drivers to carry out, we ask that you are accompanied at the point of departure and arrival by a companion who is able to dismantle and reassemble the scooter for carriage in the coach luggage hold. Mobility scooters must be operated by dry cell or gel-type batteries only. This is always determined by the amount of luggage space available on a particular service which is not something we can easily manage. Other items which assist a person with mobility and disability are carried free of charge, again subject to space being available in luggage compartment.
NTA New Vehicles Following a specification meeting with NTA on the new 13.5m low entry inter-urban commuter coach, due to be delivered first half of 2019, the NTA indicated their expectation is these coaches will not be operated on a 24hr pre-booking but more like a city bus where the wheelchair will be taken on-board at a bus stop. The new coaches (40) are being introduced to replace existing 12m high floor coaches with lifts that operate on a 24 hr pre-booking for accessibility. These coaches will have wheelchair access through the front door and a permanent dedicated wheel chair space (there will be no removable seats) with a wheelchair restraint system to comply with 100kph operation. The wheelchair will be forward facing to comply with Class III EU certification. The coach is low floor at the forward section back to mid saloon where there are a couple of steps up onto a gangway above the rear axle/driveline. Wheelchair ramp access/exit via manual bookleaf ramp (similar to current city bus arrangement). The coaches will be all seated with no standing passengers. All passengers will be seatbelted.
Cont d Given the service will not be 24 hr pre-booked, the restraint system will therefore have to be one that is either permanently fixed (but retractable in some way) in the wheelchair area so it can be easily clamped and secured to the wheelchair or is such that the components are easily inserted and locked into tracking or mountings, easily secured, with the components securely stored in or very close to the drivers cab area. As it is forward facing the wheelchair passenger will have to be seat belted. For the same reasons we adopt 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, it is intended the same will apply for the wheelchair user. Due to these vehicles being limited to 100kph we will be unable to carry Mobility Scooters on board due to the speed permitted and it not being a city bus, (65Kph), a mobility scooter would be a dangerous unrestrained load and present a high risk. An option, if the mobility scooter is small, can be dismantled and stowed securely within the available storage space on the bus and the passenger can use a seat. This is determined by the amount of luggage space available on a particular service which is not something we can easily manage.
Signage
Issues which arise for people with disabilities Lack of accessible bus stops in rural and regional areas The ownership and responsibility for bus stops rests with the Local Authorities and planning permission is required to make any changes. Other options are being considered in partnership with the NTA. Accessibility Apps Our Business Systems Dept are currently examining what is available in the market for Accessibility Apps. Visual Announcements Rolling Screen Messages on Board Buses: New fleet since 2015 have been fitted with 2 or 3 HD Multimedia Screens that have the capability to show Route Progress Information, Next Stop Information, expected arrival times etc. At present the Screens are used to show Route progress and stop information, they are not being used for scrolling information. Visual Announcement at Bus Stations are provided in large stations.
On-board Announcements We currently have English and Irish next stop announcements recorded and set up for 550 out of 5,300 stops in the AVL (automated vehicle location) system. The other 4950 stops have never had next stop announcements recorded or set up in the AVL System. We are embarking on a roll-out programme of further on-board announcements for these outstanding bus stops. They are linked to the development and implementation of the NTA s Short Common Name project where all transport operators, including Dublin Bus and private bus companies will adopt the same name for each bus stop in the country. This is a large scale project that requires agreement and the changing of names on signage, timetables, online, along with the recording of announcements in Irish and English - which will need to be uploaded to the AVL System and released to the vehicles and this in turn will impact the timeline for the inputting of the announcements.
24hr Booking System As discussed earlier. Website A new BÉ website was launched in 2015. The new website provides mobile optimised content including ticket sales, real time information and timetable information for accessing from a PC or smartphone and includes Apple VoiceOver functionality. A new solution to provide HTML Timetables on the Bus Éireann website has recently been delivered. Bus Éireann converted approximately 300 timetables to HTML. Previously, timetables were provided only in PDF format on the BE Website. PDF timetables will continue to be provided as optional downloads associated with each HTML timetable. The goal with the introduction of HTML timetables is to ensure that all timetable information is more accessible and in compliance with the WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility requirements.
Staff Training/Driver Training on Accessible Routes As part of our strategy for implementing fully accessible intercity coach routes all our drivers on the particular route are trained in the clamping and restraint mechanisms necessary for the safe operation of the vehicle. Experience has shown us that it is impractical to train all drivers at once as we have found that if they are not operating the mechanisms regularly they may require further training. For this reason we train all drivers on the particular route as the route becomes operationally accessible. All Bus Éireann drivers receive disability training as part of their CPC training. All five modules cover disability training with the module Professional Bus Driver paying particular focus to disability training. Bus Éireann is currently providing this module to all drivers, many of whom will be doing it for a second time. Road Passenger Drivers who operate on the designated wheelchair accessible routes are provided with further training on the operation of the lift by which wheelchair users board the vehicles. We have 11 Training Inspectors in each major location who have been trained as Trainers for Disability Awareness Training including AsIAM Autism. These Training Inspectors provide all training to drivers in each of their locations.
Recently, along with Dublin Bus we met Diane Hill of the Now Group to discuss the JAM Card. Diane is currently working with the NTA on the support that they could provide for the JAM Card and will send us on further information following these discussions. Buggy s (city services) Wheelchair users have priority for use of the wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely. Low-floor buses are designed so that buggies can remain unfolded in the wheelchair space if it is free. The buggy should be safely positioned and the brake on, unfolded buggies cannot travel in the gangway. If the driver thinks that it is too crowded to board safely, he may refuse boarding. The driver will not ask anybody already travelling to get off the bus to make room. If someone in a wheelchair wishes to board when there is an unfolded buggy in the wheelchair space, the driver will ask for buggy to be folded and either put it in the luggage space or kept it by passenger s side. On all new buses there is both a wheelchair space and a buggy space, buggy owners may use both spaces but the buggy owner in the wheelchair space must move out of this space if a wheelchair user wishes to board the bus. Where the space and dimensions of the interior permit, on our newer vehicles a separate buggy space is provided. This can be more difficult to accommodate on smaller capacity city buses so the wheelchair space acts in dual function.
Standard of Customer Service We are dedicated to providing our customers with a comprehensive, quality public transport service through our integrated network. In Bus Éireann, we strongly believe in providing a friendly, effective, value-for-money and safe service to all our customers and treat everyone with due care and consideration. We recognise the diversity of our customers and the importance of meeting their varied needs. Over the last number of years, we have introduced many new routes and enhanced existing services. In addition, through funding from the National Transport Authority, and our own resources, we have introduced new state of the art, higher-capacity fleet on many of our routes to enhance customer comfort and increase capacity on many of our services. The primary focus of Bus Éireann is consistent improvement in every sphere of the company and its operations. The company has made significant progress in improving customer services in recent years.
Contact point for people with disability issues Our Customer Care Information line 1850 836 611 is open daily from 08.30 to 18.00 hrs. Service Dogs Guide dogs and Assistance dogs, accompanying passengers, are permitted to travel on all Bus Éireann Services without restriction. An assistance dog must be clearly identifiable either by coat or harness to distinguish it as a working dog and not a pet. Bus Éireann Initiatives Age Friendly Ireland In 2013 the Dept of Health published the National Positive Ageing Strategy. The Strategy sets out a vision for an age-friendly society through the achievement of four national goals (participation, health, security and research). It recognises that all sectors of society have a part to play in creating age-friendly society. We engage in joint initiatives to improve access to hospitals nationwide. Disability User Group Bus Éireann work with our Disability User Group, whose members include the IWA, DeafHear, NCBI, Irish Guide Dogs Association and the Disability Focus Group on the Dublin Community Forum. These groups have been proactive in the development of Bus Éireann s accessibility services.
Retro-fit programme A number of our bus stations are already wheelchair accessible but will be audited this year to determine if they are in line with the current NTA specification, these stations are; Ennis, Galway, Athlone, Ballina, Limerick, Cork, Busaras, Dublin Airport and Waterford. Letterkenny bus station was upgraded in 2017 to have one accessible bus stop to NTA standard. Currently works are underway to provide accessible bus stops to NTA standard in Drogheda, Monaghan and Cavan. It is planned that these works would be completed by mid-2019 Outside of our stations, this year Bus Éireann has been working with the NTA and Galway local council on accessible bus stops in Clifton, Oughterard, Moycyullen and Spiddal and with Louth local council at Ardee. They are at the design and feasibility stage.
Subsequent to Bus Éireann submission for JOC accessibility report What we have achieved: 1. Added to our list of accessible regional coach routes. 2. Improving audio visual signage at Busáras. 3. Reduction in notice time for wheelchair travel reservations (now 24 hours, no matter what the day of travel is). 4. Mr Diarmuid Corry has joined the Board of Bus Éireann. 5. Bus Éireann policy to procure accessible vehicles as part of the continuing programme of fleet replacement and upgrading, and the company follow best practice when assessing and improving the accessibility of our services. This also applies to Expressway, our commercial intercity network. 6. Recently completed conversion of our online timetables into HTML format to allow for ease of use for those with visual impairments. This will facilitate those users who wish to access web timetables using a screen reader. 7. Continue to work with the NTA identifying priority routes on the network for wheelchair accessibility.
8. Working with NTA who are in the process of assuming responsibility for all bus stops across Ireland, and are carrying out a nationwide audit of these. Bus Éireann - as one company alone - have 6,000 stops, and these range from bus shelters with RTPI (Real Time Passenger Information) to bus poles in rural Ireland. Many of these stops would not have the space dimensions to be accessible which is currently 3.5 metres between the bus, and the verge - with the correct kerbing and paths in place. 9. Bus Éireann also work closely with city and county councils in relation to provision of bus stops where required. The NTA are also involved in this funding process as castle kerbing and upgraded pedestrian crossing are often required for visually impaired and wheelchair passengers. 10. We continue to meet with the Disability User Group to receive their feedback on travel experiences with Bus Éireann and to hear any recommendations or requests they might have. This user group comprises the Irish Wheelchair Association, DeafHear, and the National Council for the Blind (NCBI), the Disability Focus Group for the Dublin Community Forum and the Irish Guide Dogs Association. These groups input has contributed to the development of Bus Éireann s accessibility services. 11. All Bus Éireann town and city services are low floor and wheelchairs can roll on and off via ramp.
The challenges While 86% of all Bus Éireann s road passenger fleet (710 vehicles) are wheelchair accessible which will increase to 92% by the end of this year only a small number of our intercity, rural and commuter routes are accessible to travel on. This is mostly due to the challenge of infrastructure, which as been addressed earlier. Many Bus Éireann services do not have audio announcements for our customers, but we are embarking on a roll-out programme of these. However, they are also linked to the development and implementation of the NTA s Short Common Name project where all transport operators, including Dublin Bus and private bus companies will adopt the same name for each bus stop in the country. This is a large scale project that requires agreement and the changing of names on signage, timetables and online, and this in turn will impact the timeline for inputting of the announcements. While all Bus Éireann town and city services are low floor and wheelchairs can roll on and off via ramp, the requirements for coach travel which are the main vehicles used outside of cities is far more complex, as outlined earlier.
Investment requirements Bus Éireann do not receive directly ring-fenced long-term planned funding in terms of provision to make our facilities, fleet, services or stops, more accessible. We believe this would be beneficial. While Bus Éireann has not conducted such a survey with the NTA, we have previously undertaken research in relation to this. In 2013 we conducted comprehensive audits on our 11 main customer facilities and it was then costed at 11.45m, to make these fully accessible. We recently updated these costs to include inflation and interest and this would now have risen to an estimated 15.6m. We have these audits and updated figures if they are required, or if funding was to come on stream. Conclusion Bus Éireann are very much committed to the ongoing roll-out of accessible routes, and we do believe those with disabilities should be able to travel on our network as independently as possible. However, to achieve this we are dependent on the provision of funding and working in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and local authorities. We will continue to invest in the provision of accessible fleet on our commercial Expressway buses/network which receives no State funding and progress our programme of rolling out more wheelchair accessible services throughout 2018, along with more on board audio announcements.
Accessible Bus Stop - Dungarvan
This presentation has a lot of detail in it and it will be made available to you after the meeting. I have run through it as quickly as I could in the time allotted and if you have any queries or comments afterwards or when you take it away to digest it please do not hesitate to contact me at: Lynda.maguire@buseireann.ie Tel: 01 703 3424