An MSP has said that “inaccessible public transport is putting women’s safety at risk” – as she detailed her own experiences of having to travel separately from her husband on local buses because of “rules dictating that only one wheelchair user can travel at a time”.
Pam Duncan-Glancy told Holyrood colleagues how she is “frequently” impacted by the lack of accessibility and that one such instance led to her being subjected to intimidating behaviour by a stranger.
The Glasgow list MSP was taking part in a Scottish Parliament debate on women’s safety on public transport following the launch of Scottish Government research on the issue; and also called for public transport stations to be staffed plus support for the city’s black cab trade.
Ms Duncan-Glancy, whose regional area includes Rutherglen, said: “Inaccessible transport put’s women’s safety at risk – as a disabled woman and a wheelchair user I know this only too well. My husband and I frequently have to travel separately as buses in the city currently only allow one wheelchair on at a time.
“During a recent experience when we had to do this, I was left feeling scared and frightened when a stranger approached me while waiting on my husband’s bus to arrive at our destination [and] asked me detailed questions about my impairment and where I lived.
“I was made to feel intimidated – that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been made to travel alone. I was frightened and, instead of going home happy, I went home scared and angry. Other countries do not have that rule of one wheelchair user in each bus, so we must urgently address the issue in Scotland.”
She also called for bus fares to be capped, saying those in Glasgow “are among the highest in Scotland” and calling for “serious action to make bus travel affordable”.
Ms Duncan-Glancy added: “Disabled people across Glasgow are being let down by a lack of accessible public transport – it’s putting us at risk”; and told how she is “very grateful to Glasgow’s black cab industry as the only truly accessible form of transport in the city”.
“It’s time for both the government and the council to start taking this seriously, review existing policy and make progress towards a more accessible transport network across the city, as well as taking action to protect the accessible transport options we do have.”
She called the new government research “a much-needed step towards improving the safety of women and girls”.
The MSP also told Holyrood colleagues: “One simple and effective way of helping women to feel safer while using public transport is to have members of staff available at bus and train stations.
“Closing ticket desks and booking offices seriously undermines safety [and] is particularly worrying for disabled women who require assistance.”
Transport minister Jenny Gilruth praised her “powerful testimony”, calling it “really compelling” as she welcomed the recommendations set out in the government study to improve women’s safety on public transport – and which found that one-third of the women surveyed were concerned about their safety on public transport.
She said: “I have tasked officials with developing plans for a summit on the issue [which] will bring together stakeholders, MSPs and, most importantly, women and girls whose experiences we are going to improve.
“Only through collective action and a co-ordinated approach can we tackle the problems and concerns discussed today; we can and will work towards creating the conditions for a vastly improved experience for women and girls on our transport network.”
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