Fears grow over Metro ban on mobility scooters

Aug 24 2008 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

ANY plans to extend a ban on mobility scooters on the Metro system would be viewed as blatant discrimination of the disabled, a charity has warned transport bosses.

Nexus — which runs the Metro and bus services in Tyne and Wear — has already placed restrictions on the use of such scooters on the Metro system.

It will be holding a Press conference on Tuesday to reveal the findings into a review of a partial ban, which meant scooter users had to be accompanied by an able-bodied person.

The partial ban began in April following four incidents where scooter users fell from platforms or trains and onto the track.

Now there are fears that Nexus wants to extend this to a full ban . . . meaning many thousands of elderly and disabled people who use scooters and electric wheelchairs will be banned from the service.

An insider revealed: “It is my understanding that the ban is to be extended, unless something very drastic happens between now and Tuesday.”

A spokeswoman for North Tyneside branch of Multiple Sclerosis Society, said: “If Nexus introduces a blanket ban on mobility scooters from the Metro it would be discrimination. Such a ban would be picking on the most vulnerable people in society.

“Mobility scooters allow people to lead independent lives.

“Nexus says it has had a few incidents involving scooters. Drunks cause problems on the Metro all the time and fall off the platform . . . is Nexus going to ban people who drink and then get on a Metro train?”

“The Disability Act was designed to put a stop to this type of blatant discrimination. Nexus has a public duty to serve everyone, including the disabled.”

Nexus caused outrage after it revealed it was considering legal action against an unaccompanied 73-year-old who crashed his scooter onto train lines.

The incident is one of four that led to the partial ban.

Last month, retired teacher Susan Calvert, 56, of Forest Hall, North Tyneside, spoke of her anger over the partial ban.

The multiple sclerosis sufferer and mum-of-three said: “My social life has been totally destroyed because of this ban.”

A Nexus spokesman said: “We do not believe the action we have taken is discriminatory under the terms of the Disability Act as it has been taken on safety grounds. We don’t want to pre-empt our review by making further comments.”