An MP said the issue is a 'source of national embarrassment' (Image: Getty)
Disabled transport users are treated like "second-class citizens" in a "national embarrassment", an MP has warned. A report by the Commons' Transport Select Committee found there is a "substantial gap" between the rights of disabled people using the transport network and their daily experience.
MPs on the committee were told of incidents of wheelchair users left on planes, taxi drivers refusing lifts to people because they have an assistance dog, and street clutter causing obstructions. People with non-visible disabilities such as autism, dementia and severe anxiety said they are discouraged from attempting to travel by poor reliability and a lack of assistance.
Surprising Triggers of Atopic Dermatitis You Should AvoidAtopic Dermatitis | Search Ads| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
The unusual law that bans 1 common type of shoes in Greece
Comments
Coward Kyle Clifford refuses to attend sentencing
8 Comments
Criminal deported from UK 12 years ago wins right to return because he's 'depressed'
414 Comments
GMB's Kate Garraway cuts off Labour MP in 'awful' clash as he stutters live on air
3 Comments
Disability minister doesn't deny PIP will face Labour cuts
6 Comments
Labour challenged to make major change to schools this week in bid to help children
5 Comments
GMB's Ed Ball crucifies stuttering Labour MP with seven words as benefits row erupts
21 Comments
The UK town where a third of working-age people claim Universal Credit
9 Comments
Queen Camilla is a 'fiercely modern feminist' as she hosts Women of the World event
11 Comments
The UK seaside town branded the 'worst place on Earth' with 'horrible beach'
23 Comments
Rupert Lowe is completely missing the point on Nigel Farage in Reform spat
8 Comments
Volunteering Journeys takes travellers on unique pleasure and purpose trips
1 Comments
The little UK town where there's no supermarket for 6 miles
4 Comments
The little English county as pretty as the Cotswolds but with barely any tourists
2 Comments
Breakthrough: Topical Roll-On for Chronic Joint PainMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Expert's top train tips for wheelchair users - as Express fights for better access
Comments
Kyle Clifford to become Britain's most expensive prisoner costing "millions and millions"
3 Comments
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.GovPlus| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
'PIP has nothing to do with work' as experts slam proposed benefit changes
5 Comments
Victoria Derbyshire leaves Labour MP squirming: ‘Have a grown-up conversation!'
5 Comments
Breakthrough: Topical Roll-On for Chronic Joint PainMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Slippery Sir Keir Starmer dodges questions only to be brought down by own MP at PMQs
16 Comments
MPs and charities call for ban on smacking to save young lives
41 Comments
Breakthrough: Topical Roll-On for Chronic Joint PainMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
The unusual law that bans 1 common type of shoes in Greece
Comments
Coward Kyle Clifford refuses to attend sentencing
8 Comments
Breakthrough: Topical Roll-On for Chronic Joint PainMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Criminal deported from UK 12 years ago wins right to return because he's 'depressed'
414 Comments
GMB's Kate Garraway cuts off Labour MP in 'awful' clash as he stutters live on air
3 Comments
Breakthrough: Topical Roll-On for Chronic Joint PainMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Disability minister doesn't deny PIP will face Labour cuts
6 Comments
Labour challenged to make major change to schools this week in bid to help children
5 Comments
Nerve Pain Reliever Discovered in Natural SerumMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
GMB's Ed Ball crucifies stuttering Labour MP with seven words as benefits row erupts
21 Comments
The UK town where a third of working-age people claim Universal Credit
9 Comments
Topical Roll-On Stick: Chronic Pain's New EnemyMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Queen Camilla is a 'fiercely modern feminist' as she hosts Women of the World event
11 Comments
The UK seaside town branded the 'worst place on Earth' with 'horrible beach'
23 Comments
Nerve Pain Reliever Discovered in Natural SerumMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Rupert Lowe is completely missing the point on Nigel Farage in Reform spat
8 Comments
Volunteering Journeys takes travellers on unique pleasure and purpose trips
1 Comments
Topical Roll-On Stick: Chronic Pain's New EnemyMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
The little UK town where there's no supermarket for 6 miles
4 Comments
The little English county as pretty as the Cotswolds but with barely any tourists
2 Comments
Expert's top train tips for wheelchair users - as Express fights for better access
Comments
Kyle Clifford to become Britain's most expensive prisoner costing "millions and millions"
3 Comments
'PIP has nothing to do with work' as experts slam proposed benefit changes
5 Comments
Victoria Derbyshire leaves Labour MP squirming: ‘Have a grown-up conversation!'
5 Comments
Slippery Sir Keir Starmer dodges questions only to be brought down by own MP at PMQs
16 Comments
MPs and charities call for ban on smacking to save young lives
41 Comments
The unusual law that bans 1 common type of shoes in Greece
Comments
Coward Kyle Clifford refuses to attend sentencing
8 Comments
Criminal deported from UK 12 years ago wins right to return because he's 'depressed'
414 Comments
GMB's Kate Garraway cuts off Labour MP in 'awful' clash as he stutters live on air
3 Comments
Disability minister doesn't deny PIP will face Labour cuts
6 Comments
Labour challenged to make major change to schools this week in bid to help children
5 Comments
GMB's Ed Ball crucifies stuttering Labour MP with seven words as benefits row erupts
21 Comments
Zach Eagling is campaigning for public transport to be more accessible for wheelchair users (Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Express)
Don't miss... Zach Eagling backed by local MP in public transport campaign [LATEST]
Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, who chairs the committee, said: “It should be a source of national embarrassment that our country’s transport services effectively treat disabled people as second class citizens, denying them access to jobs, leisure, support networks and essential services – denying them their rights.
“This inquiry worked on the premise that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their condition or difference, and that services should be designed to enable disabled people to travel independently, not reliant on others. After all, services that work for disabled people also work better for everyone.
“And yet, those who have been let down and want redress or compensation face a spaghetti junction of complaints processes that either fob them off or lead them on a road to nowhere.
Sponsored
Outfany| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
2025's Most Realistic Bunny Toy
Undo
"Even when complaints are resolved, lessons aren’t learnt, changes aren’t put in place, and it’s tempting to think that the small and occasional penalties for failure are accepted by providers as a mere cost of doing business.
“Failures must go from being an everyday occurrence to vanishingly rare.
"In its reforms to transport services over this Parliament, the Government must ensure people with access needs no longer go unseen, unheard and unacknowledged."
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The committee made a series of recommendations, including that the Government should produce a new inclusive transport strategy within 12 months.
The report stated: "The evidence from disabled people shows that there is still a very substantial gap between the rights and obligations that exist in theory, and the daily experience of people who rely on pavements, buses, taxis, trains and planes to get to work, to access services, or for leisure."
It comes as the Daily Express is backing schoolboy Zach Eagling's campaign to make public transport more accessible for wheelchair users with our Zach's Right to Ride crusade.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
The unusual law that bans 1 common type of shoes in Greece
Comments
Coward Kyle Clifford refuses to attend sentencing
8 Comments
Criminal deported from UK 12 years ago wins right to return because he's 'depressed'
414 Comments
GMB's Kate Garraway cuts off Labour MP in 'awful' clash as he stutters live on air
3 Comments
Disability minister doesn't deny PIP will face Labour cuts
6 Comments
Labour challenged to make major change to schools this week in bid to help children
5 Comments
GMB's Ed Ball crucifies stuttering Labour MP with seven words as benefits row erupts
21 Comments
The UK town where a third of working-age people claim Universal Credit
9 Comments
Queen Camilla is a 'fiercely modern feminist' as she hosts Women of the World event
11 Comments
The UK seaside town branded the 'worst place on Earth' with 'horrible beach'
23 Comments
Rupert Lowe is completely missing the point on Nigel Farage in Reform spat
8 Comments
Volunteering Journeys takes travellers on unique pleasure and purpose trips
1 Comments
The little UK town where there's no supermarket for 6 miles
4 Comments
The little English county as pretty as the Cotswolds but with barely any tourists
2 Comments
2025's Most Realistic Bunny ToyOutfany| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Expert's top train tips for wheelchair users - as Express fights for better access
Comments
Kyle Clifford to become Britain's most expensive prisoner costing "millions and millions"
3 Comments
It only takes one second to fall in love with the Easter simulation jumping bunnyOutfany| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
'PIP has nothing to do with work' as experts slam proposed benefit changes
5 Comments
Victoria Derbyshire leaves Labour MP squirming: ‘Have a grown-up conversation!'
5 Comments
Topical Roll-On Stick: Chronic Pain's New EnemyMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Slippery Sir Keir Starmer dodges questions only to be brought down by own MP at PMQs
16 Comments
MPs and charities call for ban on smacking to save young lives
41 Comments
Breakthrough: Topical Roll-On for Chronic Joint PainMy Health Now| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
The unusual law that bans 1 common type of shoes in Greece
Comments
Coward Kyle Clifford refuses to attend sentencing
8 Comments
Renew Your Passport From Home — Here's How.GovPlus| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Criminal deported from UK 12 years ago wins right to return because he's 'depressed'
414 Comments
GMB's Kate Garraway cuts off Labour MP in 'awful' clash as he stutters live on air
3 Comments
Renew Your Passport Online — Here’s How.GovPlus| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Disability minister doesn't deny PIP will face Labour cuts
6 Comments
Labour challenged to make major change to schools this week in bid to help children
5 Comments
Eagle Whiskey Bottle: A Collector’s DreamGrishay| Sponsored Sponsored
Read More
Undo
GMB's Ed Ball crucifies stuttering Labour MP with seven words as benefits row erupts
21 Comments
The UK town where a third of working-age people claim Universal Credit
9 Comments
It only takes one second to fall in love with the Easter simulation jumping bunnyOutfany| Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Queen Camilla is a 'fiercely modern feminist' as she hosts Women of the World event
11 Comments
The UK seaside town branded the 'worst place on Earth' with 'horrible beach'
23 Comments
New Hyundai Santa Cruz Is Blowing Americans Away (Take A Look)Seniors Hyundai Santa Cruz| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rupert Lowe is completely missing the point on Nigel Farage in Reform spat
8 Comments
Volunteering Journeys takes travellers on unique pleasure and purpose trips
1 Comments
The Easiest Way to Get Your Passport in 2025.GovPlus| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
The little UK town where there's no supermarket for 6 miles
4 Comments
The little English county as pretty as the Cotswolds but with barely any tourists
2 Comments
Expert's top train tips for wheelchair users - as Express fights for better access
Comments
Kyle Clifford to become Britain's most expensive prisoner costing "millions and millions"
3 Comments
'PIP has nothing to do with work' as experts slam proposed benefit changes
5 Comments
Victoria Derbyshire leaves Labour MP squirming: ‘Have a grown-up conversation!'
5 Comments
Slippery Sir Keir Starmer dodges questions only to be brought down by own MP at PMQs
16 Comments
MPs and charities call for ban on smacking to save young lives
41 Comments
The unusual law that bans 1 common type of shoes in Greece
Comments
Coward Kyle Clifford refuses to attend sentencing
8 Comments
Criminal deported from UK 12 years ago wins right to return because he's 'depressed'
414 Comments
GMB's Kate Garraway cuts off Labour MP in 'awful' clash as he stutters live on air
3 Comments
Disability minister doesn't deny PIP will face Labour cuts
6 Comments
Labour challenged to make major change to schools this week in bid to help children
5 Comments
GMB's Ed Ball crucifies stuttering Labour MP with seven words as benefits row erupts
21 Comments
MD: Building Muscle After 60 Comes Down To...Apex Labs
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
What Psoriasis Looks Like: Key Symptoms and...Plaque Psoriasis | search ads
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Las Vegas: Suv Clearance Sale, Click Here To S...Local Plan
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Revitalize Your Look! Discover The Non-Surgic...Finding Frenzy
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
The 13-year-old from West Yorkshire, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, previously campaigned successfully for Zach's Law to protect epilepsy suffers against online trolls.
He is now calling on the Government to do more to make train, bus and other services more inclusive.
The Department for Transport was approached for a comment.