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A Belfast student recently settled a discrimination case with Translink, receiving £7,500 in compensation. Rosie Pidgeon, who uses an electric wheelchair, encountered issues on the glider service, where the driver failed to lower the ramp at her stop on multiple occasions, causing her to be carried past her intended destination. Pidgeon, who attends a course at Belfast Met, expressed shock at the first incident and continued to face similar challenges over a two-year period.
Frustrated by the recurring problem, Pidgeon resorted to asking fellow passengers for help in alerting the driver to let her off at the correct stop. She emphasized the concern and stress caused by these situations, impacting her independence and disrupting her daily commute to college. Pidgeon highlighted the importance of feeling confident when using public transportation and called for a seamless travel experience without added worry.
Describing the experience as “distressing and exhausting,” Pidgeon stressed the prolonged recovery time due to her acquired disability. Despite previous apologies from Translink, the issue persisted, prompting Pidgeon to pursue legal action to ensure the accessibility of the Glider service for all wheelchair users. The Director of Service Operations at Translink, Ian Campbell, acknowledged the need for inclusive services and outlined efforts to enhance service consistency and staff training.
Eoin O’Neill, from the Equality Commission, emphasized the broader implications of the case for disabled service users on Translink, highlighting the legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. O’Neill stressed the importance of transport providers making reasonable adjustments to eliminate barriers for disabled individuals and ensuring proper training for drivers to facilitate a seamless boarding and disembarking process. Overall, the case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to ensure accessible and inclusive public transportation for all individuals
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