Transport for London (TfL) is ‘dragging its feet’ when it comes to implementing well integrated door-to-door services for people with limited mobility, committee says.
A report on the transport services in the capital that take people from door-to-door revealed problems with availability, reliability and pricing continue to make the service inefficient.
These services include Dial-a-Ride, Taxicard, CapitalCall, and Community Transport, as well as a number of others.
The report, put together by the London Assembly’s transport committee, recommended TfL set out a timed plan for implementation of its roadmap toward integration of door-to-door services.
It also said TfL should explore the feasibility of introducing a system of personal budgets to an integrated door-to-door service, with a timed action to do this. This could then be tested with a pilot scheme.
‘Sadly, not all public transport in the capital is fully accessible,’ said Keith Prince AM who released the report on behalf of the Assembly.
‘This means that until it is, Transport for London (TfL) has an obligation to ensure effective and comprehensive door-to-door services are available to those Londoners that need them.
‘The frustrating fact is that we are still some distance away from a system by which people get the service they need, delivered in the most straightforward way, as efficiently as possible.
‘TfL is really dragging its feet on this small but essential part of London’s transport system and service users are rightly fed-up of waiting.
‘Integrating services would help to deliver a truly user led door-to-door service and an opportunity to introduce personal budgets. This would allow users to choose what door-to-door journeys they want to make and who will provide them.
‘A freedom every other traveller takes for granted. The introduction of personal budgets is a logical final step which would empower users to take back control of their travel.’
