Student settles discrimination case against Translink | UK News

A Belfast student has received £7,500 after Translink settled a discrimination case which she brought.

Rosie Pidgeon, who uses an electric wheelchair, needs to press a specific button to let the driver know to lower the ramp at her stop. On “various occasions” this did not happen and she was carried beyond her stop.

Miss Pidgeon uses the glider service to attend a course at Belfast Met and said she was “quite shocked” the first time it happened.

The case was settled without admission of liability. Translink apologised “for any hurt and distress caused”.

Miss Pidgeon said the issue continued to happen over a two-year period, sometimes twice a day, leaving her late for class or getting home.

At first, Miss Pidgeon would “try again to get off at the next stop” but then started to ask other passengers to knock on the door to get the driver’s attention.

“Nobody wants to be in that situation where you have to ask a stranger to knock on the door and ask the driver to let you off the bus because you haven’t been let off.”

Miss Pidgeon said the experience had left her “worried” about using the bus.

“It’s quite frustrating,” she said.

“I value my independence and just want to be able to travel to and from college without any worry or stress.”

“Being carried past my stop is distressing and exhausting,” she said.

“Due to my disability, which I acquired as a result of Covid, it takes a long time for me to recover from each incident.”

Miss Pidgeon previously raised her concerns with Translink and received apologies but the issue continued.

“I felt I had no choice but to pursue this case. I want to make sure that all wheelchair users can use the Glider with confidence,” she said.

Ian Campbell, director of service operations at Translink said the company was dedicated to making services “inclusive”.

He said changes had been introduced to “improve the consistency of service” and additional “refresher training” had been provided.

“We will continue to invest in our facilities, services, and staff training as part of our ongoing accessibility programme,” said Mr Campbell.

“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with the Equality Commission and will continue to work closely with key stakeholders to understand the needs of people with disabilities, ensuring a positive customer experience for all.”

Eoin O’Neill, director of legal services at the Equality Commission, said: “It’s an important case for Rosie as an individual, but it also has implications for all disabled service users on Translink.”

He said the commission was “liaising very closely with Translink and we welcome the work that they have done in relation to taking steps to prevent this happening again”.

Mr O’Neill said all transport providers in Northern Ireland had duties under the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to the provision and use of the vehicles.

“This includes making ‘reasonable adjustments’ to take away or overcome elements in their services which present barriers to disabled people,” he added.

Mr O’Neill said all glider drivers should be full trained in ensuring the deployment of a ramp when needed.

“Many people with disabilities rely on public transport to go about their daily lives,” he added.

“They must be able to board at the stop of their choosing and disembark where they need to.”