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<p>The Government recognises how important improving access to public transport is
for disabled people and is committed to making transport more inclusive.</p><p> </p><p>Since
its launch in 2006, the £390m Access for All rail programme (which was further extended
with £160m in 2014) has delivered accessible routes at over 150 stations. There are
also 68 further projects at various stages of construction or development.</p><p>
</p><p>We also recognise that positive interactions with bus drivers can make a big
difference to disabled people’s experience of taking the bus. We are working with
the bus industry and disabled people to design best practice guidance in delivering
disability awareness training which, we hope, will help to give bus drivers the skills
and knowledge to assist every disabled passenger.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Bus
Services Bill will specifically allow enhanced partnership schemes to require all
buses within a local area to provide audible and visual next stop information. Authorities
using the new franchising powers will be able to place similar requirements on affected
operators. The Government has also agreed to consider amendments on this issue which
were tabled during the Bill’s committee stage in the House of Lords.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government intends to publish an Accessibility Action Plan for consultation by the
end of the year which will present its ambition for further progress on this important
agenda.</p><p> </p>
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