SATA News

No 1. July 2009

Newsletter of the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance

Contents

Editorial

Welcome to SATA News! This is the first edition and something of an experiment. We'll see how it goes. The plan is to produce it as often as possible, probably every other month, but this will depend on what 'news' we have to put in it and our capacity to get it out to you. We shall concentrate on events as we want to keep it brief. But there may also be issues and other things to highlight. You can certainly help with contributions, so do write in. After it has been sent out to members it will be posted on our website for others to read.

So here we go!

SATA's AGM

This will be at 1.30 pm on 17th September at RNIB, 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh. We hope you can come. We shall be electing a new Management Committee and if you are interested in joining please ask another member to nominate you. We need people with a variety of knowledge and skills to take the organisation forward. Forms and notes will be circulated. After the AGM there will be a presentation by Anne MacLean OBE, Convener of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS). It will be a great opportunity to raise points with her that you think MACS should pass on to Scottish Ministers.

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Membership drive

SATA is looking for new members. Not only do we want a wide and representative network but we also rely almost entirely on subscriptions to cover the cost of our meetings and other activities. At present we have 18 individual and 62 corporate members. We would especially welcome more disability organisations but also transport providers and local authority departments. So if you have suggestions, or better still personal contacts, please help us to reach 100 members by the end of this year. There are subscriptions details and an application form on our website www.scottishaccessibletransport.org.uk/joiningsata.html

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SATA website refreshed

Our website (above) has been freshened up to give greater clarity and accessibility. Our thanks to Tom Porter who has been doing this for us free of charge whilst he sharpens up his IT skills at Edinburgh's Telford College. We hope you will visit it and tell us what you think. We are getting some 200 visits a month at present so that's encouraging.

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John Ballantine joins DPTAC

Congratulations to John. He is a very busy man. As well as being our SATA Treasurer, and since January a member of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS), he has recently been appointed to represent the Scottish Government on the Disabled Persons' Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) meeting in London. And he does lots of other things as well.

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MACS recruitment

The Scottish Government has been recruiting for up to nine more members to bring the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland up to strength. The maximum number, including the Convener, is 15 and at least 50% must be disabled people. They will be appointed for a three year term but renewable for a further three years. Their role is to give Scottish Ministers independent advice on transport policy. The committee is scheduled to meet quarterly but can do so more often if needed. We shall look forward to an announcement in the autumn. Information about MACS is on the website www.macscotland.gov.uk

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'Try a Bus Day' in Leith

This was held at Ocean Terminal on 9th June and was the second successful event of its kind organised by Ecas, the first being in 2007. Lothian Buses, First and Stagecoach all took part. As well as disabled people, many local and national politicians and staff attended, with coverage by newspapers and radio. The many issues raised have been summarised in a report available from Ecas (Tel: 0131 475 2344. Email: info@ecas-edinburgh.org). SATA would like to encourage its members to put on similar events elsewhere.

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National free bus travel scheme review

We were most disappointed at the Scottish Government's report on its so-called review of the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme. It was really just a report on the outcome of negotiations between the Government and the bus industry represented by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT). Apart from including injured war veterans from 2011, there were no changes that would have made the scheme more inclusive for disabled people and brought about the social benefits which the Government says it recognises. Like others, we had asked for eligibility to include those on the lower DLA rate, many of whom were eligible under previous local or regional schemes before it went national in April 2006. We would also wanted to see more door-to-door services included so that those unable to access scheduled services could benefit.

The public spin put on the report was that in the current financial climate the Government had done well to protected the scheme from being cut back. Of course we welcome this but how likely was it, politically, in view of its popularity? The report says the objects of the scheme will be kept under review until the original 7 year commitment has ended (ie in 2013). So we must keep up the pressure.

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Independent Living in Scotland (ILiS)

This is the name of a new project hosted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and funded by the Scottish Government to support the delivery of independent living in Scotland. It was launched in March and a report 'Ready for Action' summarises the key issues and pinpoints priorities, including for the environment and transport. ILiS is now inviting organisations to register their support. Those interested or wanting more information should visit the website www.ilis.org.uk or contact the Helpline phone number 0845 604 55410.

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Glasgow Subway

In May SATA was well represented at the start of a consultation by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) which is embarking on a programme of improvements to make the Glasgow Subway more accessible for disabled people. In 2007/8 the system, one of the oldest in the world, carried 14.45 million passengers but presents major barriers for use by many disabled people. The programme is timely because of the UK Government's proposals for changes to accessibility regulations regarding 'light rail vehicles' (which also includes trams) on which it has also been consulting. For more information visit the SPT website www.spt.gov.uk/subway

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New trains for First ScotRail

First ScotRail is ordering new state-of-the-art 'Desiro' Class 380 trains to operate on services from Glasgow to Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, as well as serving Glasgow and Prestwick airports . A mock-up was on show at Glasgow Central station and on 7th May a special viewing was arrange for representatives of disability organisations. The carriages are now at the Glasgow Museum of Transport (www.glagowmuseums.com/venue/showNews).
ScotRail regularly includes SATA in its consultations on its policies and programmes to improve access to both trains and stations.

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SATA's Manifesto '09

SATA has produced a Manifesto for next year's Scottish Parliament election. It can also be used by other campaigning organisations. In it SATA makes a commitment to a number of actions to improve transport services and invites others to support them. If you would like a copy please contact the Secretary at the address below.

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What's happening with you?

Please share your news with us or provide a link to where people can access the latest information about developments in your area. Send it by post or email to:

Alan Rees MBE
Secretary
SATA
20 Seaforth Drive
Edinburgh EH4 2BZ
Tel. 0131 315 3006
Email: at.rees@sol.co.uk

Thank you and good wishes!

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