Rail Travel for Persons with reduced Mobility (PRM): Service Provider Views

1. Dirk Oelschläger Senior Advisor Passenger Transport Rail Travel forPersons with reduced Mobility (PRM):Service Provider Views UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0

2. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 Legal Basis UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Accessibility “on an equal basis to others” to transportation Full and effective participation and inclusion in society Passenger Rights Regulation (EU Regulation 1371/2007): “PRR” Assistance provision Access to all services Accessible Information Right to transport TSI PRM (Commission Decision 2008/164/EC) Infrastructure Rolling Stock Telematics applications for passengers

3. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 Disabled persons and PRM – Who are they? The PRR distinguishes between “disabled persons” and “PRM”. Disabled persons =severely handicapped persons Persons with other impairments Blind and sight-impaired Mentally handicapped Passengers carrying small children Elderly people Deaf and audibly impaired Wheelchair users Pregnant women Persons with communication difficulties ! ! The definition of PRM provided by TSI PRM (Decision 2008/164/EC), however, comprises disabled persons.

4. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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

5. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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

6. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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

7. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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

8. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 Disabled persons and PRM – What do they need? Passengers carrying small children • Space for pram • Diaper changing table Pregnant women • Comfortable seat on board • Possibilities to rest at stations Elderly people • Advice at journey planning and ticket purchase • Comprehensive information, specially in case of irregularities • Assistance at embarking, disembarking and changing trains Persons with communication difficulties • Information in multiple languages (of which at least English) • Uniform pictograms • Special attention in case of lateness and broken connections

9. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 Railways at your service – What can we offer? For free 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

10. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 Railways at your service – What can we offer? On commercial basis (against payment) 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

11. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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)

12. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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

13. UIC Oelschläger • Genève • V 1.0 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

14. Thank you for your attention