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Mobility scooter users must have companion to use Metro
USERS of mobility scooters have been told they cannot use the Tyne & Wear Metro system without a companion after two incidents in the past year have left users needing hospital treatment.
At Howdon Metro station on Thursday a user boarded the train but struck the opposite doors and consequently fell out onto the track.
The rider had to be rescued by emergency services and was taken to North Tyneside General Hospital.
The Metro was suspended between North Shields and Wallsend for 45 minutes while the recovery operation took place.
Now Nexus have announced a new rule covering all mobility scooters which will come into effect from the start of service on Saturday, April 26.
The new rules cover all types of powered mobility scooters allowed on the service, but does not apply to electric wheelchairs.
Bernard Garner, director general of Nexus, said: "We're changing the rule on using mobility scooters on Metro for the safety and comfort of all our passengers, including scooter users themselves.
"We appreciate this will make travel more difficult for some users, but we feel we have no alternative other than to stop scooters using the Metro altogether, given new safety concerns surrounding their use.
"There has been a huge growth in the number of people using powered mobility scooters to get around and we need to keep pace with that.
But the move has been criticised by a North Tyneside organisation.
Wallsend People's Centre offers local residents who face limited mobility the chance to use the scooters for a day to give them a chance for independence.
Manager Maureen Madden believes the move by Nexus is a step backwards for users of the scooters.
She told newsguardian.co.uk: "I can understand that they want safety for all passengers but I would think they would say that if you come on the Metro you do it at your own risk.
"I don't think other passengers would be in danger.
"It might be a short term measure to find a way around it but certainly I think it is a backwards step because it is stopping people being independent.
"It is a step backwards from equality."
Mr Garner said it was a decision they had to take.
He said: "If the Metro is to continue to allow scooters on to trains then the rules surrounding there use must be tightened to make sure they are not a hazard for the users themselves and other passengers.
"We are going to sit down with access groups so we can establish safe training and use guidelines and rules for the mobility scooters, and these rules will remain in place at least until we have done that."
The incident in Howdon is currently being investigated by Nexus and the Railway Inspectorate.
Extensive tests have also been carried out on Metro doors to understand the forces involved.
Further tests are set to take place.
Metro train doors are designed to withstand a force of one metric tonne before opening outwards but these incidents have shown that mobility scooters are capable of applying a force in excess of that impact.
Information on the rule change is being sent to access groups across Tyne & Wear and displayed on posters at stations and on the Nexus website www.nexus.org.uk
A special Nexus accesibility event is taking place at St James' Metro on Wednesday, April 30, and will give disabled passengers the chance to find out more about using public transport and receive advice on the new rule.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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