Transport For All - Mobility Forum

KAT was successful yesterday by using 3 members (Marie Cummings, Stuart Disspain, and myself, Patrick Goodacre) to represent the new 'KAT group' at the 'Pan-London Mobility Forum'. Above, the meeting's agenda is displayed.

Below I made a series of notes throughout. 
After an introduction, Louise Ellmann MP, provided a talk as Chair of Commons Transport Select Committee, to begin proceedings. Although much to me seemed as 'political talk', the issue of wheelchair spaces on buses arose, and she quite easily accepted my story described below, 'rules are rules', assuring me that I had acted correctly.

The meeting progressed on to the next topic. Gareth Powell, Director of Strategy and Service Development at London Underground, gave a very good talk. As proclaimed by Boris Johnson yesterday, Mr Powell told that parts of the London Underground will be working 24hours-per-day in 2015. With the aim of accessible information being available to all passengers, on top of current posters etc, there will be WiFi throughout. There will be no 'back room staff'. All will be easily accessible. Boarding ramps are, of course, still an issue, but the issue is being heavily concentrated on.

Throughout yesterday's meeting people with issues regarding more local issues have been told to contact their MP.

As the Member of Parliament for Kingston & Surbiton, I provide the link to Ed Davey's webpage

Edward Davey

020 8288 0161

Although not directly to do with transport the 'Inclusion London' organisation gave a very good presentation. The group will be worth contacting if you have a more generic issue regarding deafness or disability.

www.inclusionlondon.co.uk

020 7237 3181

Below, is an exact copy of the brief notes made throughout the meeting.

MP  'we will'...

Wheelchair/bus story accepted by MP

Underground

Partially London underground 24hr 2015

Staffing at 100%

but more staff

Wifi at stations for passengers

No back room staff, all accessible

Currently 7500 staff

Introducing staff to help, badged, etc

More staff at the front of stations 

Working on manual boarding ramps - by mid next year

It's all about speaking to the right people

"It is not 'what you know', it's all 'who you know'"

Stuart has been making useful connections with bus garages in RBK

We should connect with our MP

Transportselectcommitee

InclusionLondon