Annual Report 1999

2. Other key activities during 1999

Report on the Orange Badge Scheme: in February 1999, DPTAC submitted a report to Ministers setting out its recommendations for how the scheme should be revised. Copies of the report were widely disseminated. The following paragraph is taken form the introduction to the review:

"DPTAC strongly believes in the continued need for the Orange Badge Scheme but is concerned about:

a) the dramatic increase since 1987 in the number of badges which are on issue and, in particular, in the number of discretionary badges;

b) the continuing reported abuse/misuse of the scheme which is undermining the value of the scheme.

The matter is likely to become even more critical as the measures outlined in the 1998 White Paper on transport are developed and implemented and authorities come under even more pressure to issue badges under the discretionary criteria. This report presents an analysis of the current situation and makes recommendations for improving the scheme."

DETR is now to undertake a full review of the Orange Badge scheme. DPTAC will be represented on the steering group for this work and will also be invited to comment on the detailed proposals.

DPTAC was also consulted on the EC recommendation for a European Blue Parking Badge for Disabled People.

Review of DPTAC Taxicard guidance: in April 1999, DPTAC undertook a review of its guidance on the establishment of Taxicard schemes. Areas that were covered by the appraisal included:

• criteria, as used by local authorities, for issuing concessionary fares;

• whether subsidies should be paid directly to users, or to the trade;

• if a need existed for a 'mobility card', a card, which would give the holder access to all modes of public transport.

DPTAC represented on CfIT: Jane Wilmot was invited to represent DPTAC, on an ex officio basis, on the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT), the Government's new advisory body on integrated transport policy. Amongst other things, this enabled DPTAC to play an active role in advising Government on improving local transport plans and on public subsidies to the bus industry.

Quarantine Regulations: the proposal of a pilot 'Pet-Passport' scheme, to begin April 2000, was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in March 1999. The pilot scheme was of interest to a number of the DPTAC Working Groups in 1999. DPTAC remain keen to ensure that the final scheme, which MAFF anticipate will be in place by April 2001, sees an amendment to Article 6(4) of the Quarantine Regulations, i.e. that would not require separation of dog and owner during embarkation and disembarkation travel procedures.

OPRAF consultation: in summer 1999, DPTAC responded to the Franchising Director's (OPRAF's) consultation document, '1999 Assessment on the Type and Level of Services the Network should Provide'. In its response DPTAC recommended that OPRAF, (and the rail industry as a whole), needed to use every means at their disposal to ensure that the rail network became accessible to disabled people over the next 10 to 20 years. DPTAC saw the priorities for the rail industry as:

• Focusing on making every part of the travel chain work as a seamless whole, including paying attention to detail at national, regional and local level.

• Ensuring that in contracts or franchises, when negotiated, provision is made for disabled rail passengers to have access to the same facilities as non-disabled passengers.

• Agreeing national and enforceable standards on accessible infrastructure and refurbishment of rail rolling stock.

• Developing new and affordable solutions to making the railway network accessible to disabled, and older rail passengers.

Voluntary transport: DPTAC welcomed the DETR Review of Voluntary Transport and hopes that most of its recommendations, including extending fuel duty rebate to community transport, will be implemented.

Published 11 December 2000

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