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WQ.428/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2021 ANSWER TABLED ON TUESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2021
Question
Will the Minister advise members what policy is applied to transport on LibertyBus by carers with young children in prams?
Revised Answer
The Government of Jersey does not have a specific policy in relation to travel on LibertyBus by carers with young children in prams. However, ensuring that such journeys are provided for is accommodated through the Government of Jersey's Bus Operator Contract.
Recognising national best practice, the Contract sets out in its Specification of Services that all vehicles operating public services are to be of low floor design and comply with the UK's Equality Act 2011 specification, incorporating previous UK's Disability Discrimination Act guidance, to include space for a minimum of one wheelchair. In addition, LibertyBus vehicles typically feature a multi-purpose layout in the forward part of the interior which, when the side-facing tip-up seats are set to their raised positions, provides a further area where passengers may stand and where unfolded pushchairs or prams can be placed.
In addition to this, LibertyBus have committed to ongoing staff training and development, with a strong focus on customer care, particularly vulnerable passengers including those of restricted mobility.
The HCT Group Conditions of carriage cover any bus service operated by its subsidiaries and includes under Section 5 "Carriage of wheelchairs, small prams and buggies" :-
Wheelchairs, disabled buggies, approved mobility scooters, small prams and unfolded buggies may only be carried on suitable low floor vehicles. All our buses are wheelchair accessible... Subject to space being available and the discretion of the driver, we will carry small prams and unfolded buggies on low floor buses within the designated area but only when it is not required by a passenger in a wheelchair or approved mobility scooter (passengers in wheelchairs have absolute priority by law). Prams and buggies must not block the aisle of the vehicle at any time.
When the bus is busy the driver may request that buggies are folded up to avoid obstructing the aisle.