Rail Travel forPersons with reduced Mobility (PRM):

Service Provider Views

Dirk Oelschläger

Senior Advisor Passenger Transport

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Legal Basis

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Passenger Rights Regulation (EU Regulation 1371/2007): “PRR”

TSI PRM (Commission Decision 2008/164/EC)

Full and effective participation and inclusion in society

Accessibility “on an equal basis to others” to transportation

Right to transport

Accessible Information

Access to all services

Assistance provision

Infrastructure Rolling Stock Telematics applications for passengers

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Persons with other impairmentsDisabled persons =

severely handicapped persons

Disabled persons and PRM – Who are they?

Passengers carrying small children

Elderly people

Pregnant women

Blind and sight-impaired

Deaf and audibly impaired

Mentally handicapped

Wheelchair users

Persons with communication difficulties

The PRR distinguishes between “disabled persons” and “PRM”.

The definition of PRM provided by TSI PRM (Decision 2008/164/EC), however, comprises disabled persons.! !

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Disabled persons and PRM – What do they need?

Blind and sight-impaired

Pre-travel information in accessible formats

• e.g. websites, printed materials in audio format

Tactile guiding information

Assistance for ticket purchase

Assistance at embarking and disembarking

On-board space for guiding dog

Real-time information in audible form during the journey

Special attention in case of lateness and broken connections

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Disabled persons and PRM – What do they need?

Deaf and audibly impaired

Induction loops at ticket counters and help points

Visual accurate departure information in real time

• e.g. sign language interpreted departure information

Visual travel information at stations and on board trains

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Disabled persons and PRM – What do they need?

Mentally handicapped

Pictogram signage

Easy read timetables

Comprehensive information, specially in case of irregularities

Easy to use ticket vending machines

Special attention in case of lateness and broken connections

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Disabled persons and PRM – What do they need?

Wheelchair users

Lower height ticket counters

Assistance at embarking, disembarking and changing trains

On-board space for wheelchair

Spacious and accessible toilet

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Disabled persons and PRM – What do they need?

Passengers carrying small children

Pregnant women

Elderly people

Space for pram

Diaper changing table

Comfortable seat on board

Possibilities to rest at stations

Advice at journey planning and ticket purchase

Comprehensive information, specially in case of irregularities

Assistance at embarking, disembarking and changing trains

Information in multiple languages (of which at least English)

Uniform pictograms

Special attention in case of lateness and broken connections

Persons with communication difficulties

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Railways at your service – What can we offer?

Assistance At the interface platform ↔ train

On board a train

Allowing a companion for travel

Under certain conditions

• for severely handicapped unable to travel alone

Based on commercial decision or national legislation

Reduced fares for elderly people

Based on commercial decision or national legislation

For free

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Railways at your service – What can we offer?

Mobility packages

Luggage porter services

Electric cart services within large stations

Pick-up and drop-off services at home

Discount schemes

Travel and/or companion discounts for disabled people

On commercial basis (against payment)

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Railways at your service – What do we need?

Assistance booking at due time

For national journeys usually not later than 24 hours prior to departure

For international journeys not later than 48 hours prior to departure

European Handicapped Pass

To identify the eligibility of its holder for national discount schemes

To facilitate uniform tariff rules for travel for companion(s)

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Railways at your service – What do we need?

Fair contracts for Public Service Obligations

Investment support for improving accessibility in stations and modernisation of rolling stock

Commitment on additional staff availability in trains and on stations

Transparency between compulsory facilities and those to be offered on voluntary, commercial basis

Compensation for free or concessionary travel facilities for PRM, if applicable

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Railways at your service – What do we need?

Reliable Investment Schemes

Reasonable migration path for making stations and trains accessible

Reliable funding agreements between governments, railway undertakings and rail infrastructure providers

• longer-term agreements rather than “flashes in the pan”

• special attention to CEE countries in order to allow them to catch up to European average

Thank you for your attention