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Service users hit the road with campaign for better access to public transport
Two dedicated Romford residents have kick-started a campaign to improve access to public transport for local people. Sophie Cowderoy and Liam Prospere felt frustrated by the barriers faced by disabled people to accessing bus services, so decided to set up their own action group to tackle the problem and get more local people on board.
Sophie and Liam, both residents at CMG’s The Ridgeway supported living service in Havering, were already involved in representing their peers’ views through CMG’s Service User Parliament (read more here). However, it became clear they should take things one step further after repeatedly being refused access to local buses and sometimes experiencing rude behaviour from bus drivers. Sophie and Liam proactively decided to address the fact that the Borough of Havering has one of the lowest percentages of accessible bus stops across the wider London area.
The pair got in touch with London charity Transport for All (TfA), the home of advice for disabled and older transport users in the capital, to arrange setting up a Havering Transport Action Group. The group already has an impressive 50 members. Sophie and Liam also decided to launch a dedicated website and blog, The Bus Diaries, to accompany the campaign, and help draw attention and raise local awareness about the cause.
The website officially went live on 21st December 2012 – do visit www.thebusdiaries.com and have a look for yourself.
Sophie and Liam have also engaged politicians on this important issue. Sophie recently attended the Mayor’s Question Time in Havering, where she asked Boris Johnson directly what he is doing to improve disabled access to local busses. Local MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, Angela Watkinson, has also endorsed the Bus Diaries campaign.
The next step is to find a permanent office for the new Havering Transport Action Group and continue building local membership. Fellow Ridgeway service user, Wilson Barros, who is registered blind, has already been inspired to get involved, and decided to stand alongside Sophie and Liam as a Service User MP candidate for next year’s CMG Parliament.
Sophie Cowderoy, CMG service user and co-founder of the campaign, said:
“I sometimes have problems with the buses, the ramps don’t work and the drivers can be rude. My friends have these problems too.”
“I liked talking to Boris about it and would like to talk to him again and ask him more questions.”
“I like the campaign and enjoy speaking to people about it. I love computers and typing and I am looking forward to our new bus website.”
Lianna Etkind, Campaigns and Outreach Co-ordinator at Transport For All, added:
“We are delighted that CMG service users are joining us to campaign so that disabled people in Havering are able to use transport with the same freedom and independence as everyone else. Fair and equal access to public transport is something we are passionate about, and Sophie and Liam’s commitment and dedication has been inspirational.
“I look forward to continuing work with them as the campaign progresses, and I hope they inspire other disabled people to take action for accessible transport. Personal stories of travel experiences are a really powerful way to show transport providers that things must change, so I encourage people to visit, and contribute to the Bus Diaries Blog!”
Romford Recorder
This article appeared in the Romford Recorder online on Tuesday 27th December - read the article HERE.
It also appeared in their printed edition on on Friday 6th January:
