XN000022-1995-05-03 — Page 9

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Public transport facilities for people with a disability

The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, is delighted to note that since 1992, the public transport operators have made their transport services more accessible to the vast majority of people with a disability.

Speaking at the Governor's third summit meeting with transport operators and representatives of people with a disability held this morning (Wednesday), Mr Patten said this was significant as it had taken other countries many years for the same development to take place.

The Governor heard progress reports given by the local transport operators, noting that more plans had been drawn up for the coming year.

He was pleased that the rail corporations had completed a number of trial schemes for improving the stations to facilitate travel for those with mobility difficulties and sight or hearing impairment, and that these schemes would be extended to more stations.

He noted that ferry piers and vessels had now largely been made wheelchair accessible, and people with a disability could obtain assistance at the piers. Improvements have also been made in trams.

The Governor heard that special passenger-friendly features had been adopted by the local bus companies for their new bus fleets. These would help not only those with obvious physical disabilities but would also benefit the elderly, parents with prams and young children.

He was delighted to hear that more improvements would be put in place in the future. He noted that it was very important to continue to build on the progress already achieved while at the same time giving transport operators time to resolve financial, technical and operational obstacles.

The Governor said it was very important to maintain a direct, constructive and on-going dialogue between the public transport operators and the disabled community.