Scottish Government

RECENT

• Blue Badge Reform

• Accessing Passenger Vessels: Guidance for Disabled People and Persons with Reduced Mobility

• Meeting the Needs of Disabled people and Persons with Reduced Mobility on Passenger Vessels and Passenger Shore Infrastructure

• Gogar Rail Interchange

• Powered Mobility Scooters

• Electric Personal Vehicles

• DfT Blue Badge

• Ferries Review

• Public Sector Equality Duty (Single Equality Duty)

• Edinburgh Active Travel Action Plan

• Consultation on Public Sector Equality Duty Specific Duties - Response January 2010

• Consultation on Designing Streets MACS Response
• Access to Taxis (DfT)

HISTORIC

• Inquiry into Ferry Services Scotland

The Committee raised concerns about the accessibility of small ferries, the failure of DPTAC's guidance to address ferry design issues and staff training relating to assisting disabled passengers.
(Date of response: 28/03/2008 )

• Scotland-Wide Free Bus Scheme for Older and Disabled People

MACS commends the fact that the introduction of a Scotland-wide concessionary travel scheme as it introduces a level playing field across Scotland, extends travel beyond off peak to all day and introduces an Entitlement card using smart card technology that can be used over time to access an increasing number of public services. However, the Committee is disappointed that the significant amount of money that is being invested in the scheme will not improve the mobility of older and disabled people commensurately.

(Date of Response 02/12/2005)

• Scotland's National Transport Strategy: Consultation
  MACS welcomed the production of a National Transport Strategy, which has as one of its goals the promotion of accessibility and also has as one of its high level objectives the promotion of social inclusion. We also noted that one of the key points stressed in the introduction to the consultation document is that "transport is not an end in itself". If these issues are addressed we are confident that the National Transport Strategy should be able to deliver a passenger transport system that truly reflects the needs of disabled people. We feel that previously the provision of a passenger transport system for disabled people has been provided very much on an ad hoc basis and has not resulted in much of an improvement in the mobility of disabled people.
  (Date of response: 12/07/2006)

• Age and Experience: Consultation on the Strategy for a Scotland with an Ageing Population
  The Committee's response offered advice in relation to the provision of suitable transport services. Pointing out that as the incidence of disability increases with age the availability of accessible affordable transport becomes increasingly important for older people if they are to enjoy the benefits that others have in later life.
  (Date of response: 06/06/2006 )
• Revision of the Highway Code: Consultation
  The Committee's response concentrated on the Rules for Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Mobility Scooters (Rules 34 - 44). The Committee felt that further advice should be included in the Highway Code in relation to training, insurance, maintenance, safety of the vehicles etc.
  (Date of response: 08/05/2006)
• SE Consultation on proposals for a Public Transport Users' Committee for Scotland (PTUC)
  The Committee's response noted the proposals to set up a Public Transport Users Committee and recognised the potential merit in creating one body, which would be representative of all users of passenger transport in Scotland. However it had difficulty with the title and the proposed remit, which it felt precluded MACS from either being a sub committee of the PTUC or being a member of an umbrella organisation. MACS did not therefore support either option 1 or option 2 as proposed in the consultation document.
  (Date of response: 17/03/2006)
• SE Consultation - Review of Scottish Digital Inclusion Policy
  The Committee's response supports the Digital Inclusion Policy and reinforces the message that 'Providing reliable, accessible and cost effective sources of advice and support is crucial'. The Committee expressed the view that there are not yet enough public Internet access points particularly in small towns and that consideration should be given to providing public access points in hospitals.
  (Date of response: 26/01/2006)