The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) held an exclusive Isle of Wight away day on Friday, 8th November 2024.
This special event, centred on the theme of transport accessibility, brought together key stakeholders, transport providers, and local organisations to address the unique challenges of island communities in accessing seamless and inclusive transport options.
Event Highlights:
The day kicked off at 9am with two groups departing from Portsmouth and Southsea to Ryde via Wightlink and Hovertravel services, both of which offered step-free access to ensure all participants had a comfortable and accessible journey.
Participants gathered at Ryde Esplanade Station at 10am for a warm welcome from the Isle of Wight Transport Infrastructure Board, Isle of Wight Council, and Visit Isle of Wight.
A short trip on the Island Line Railway offered attendees first-hand experience of the local transit infrastructure from Ryde Esplanade to Shanklin, joined by Island Transport Partners.
Following the train journey, attendees were treated to lunch in Solent Views at Hovertravel’s Ryde Terminal.
Round Table Discussion on Accessible Transport Solutions
The highlight of the day was an in-depth roundtable discussion focused on transport accessibility for rural communities, where DPTAC representatives heard from local transport providers and advocacy groups, including:
Isle Access, Southern Vectis, Island Line / SWR, Wightlink, Red Funnel, Floating Bridge, FYT Bus, Cycle Wight and Hovertravel.
Each group shared insights and initiatives around enhancing accessibility, emphasizing multi-modal transport solutions, and identifying potential areas for improvement.
The discussion also allowed for interactive dialogue, encouraging participants to share best practices and challenges in their efforts to foster accessible and inclusive transport.
DPTAC's Commitment to Inclusive Transport
DPTAC’s work is driven by the vision that all disabled people should have equal access to transport options, empowering them to travel confidently and without additional costs.
Through its role as an independent advisory body to the Department for Transport (DfT), DPTAC plays a critical role in shaping inclusive policies, advising on regulatory needs, and supporting strategic initiatives such as the Inclusive Transport Strategy.
This Isle of Wight away day marked a step forward in DPTAC’s mission to ensure accessibility across diverse transport modes and geographies, particularly for those in rural or isolated communities.
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