Travel Guides & Articles
Disabled transport access a ‘national embarrassment’, MPs warn
BBC Transport
Disabled people have told the BBC of “humiliation” and “sub-human treatment” as a senior group of MPs has warned accessibility on public transport is a “national embarrassment”.
A report by parliament’s cross-party transport select committee found “systematic” failings across all public transport and says “too great a burden is placed on individual disabled people” to hold operators and authorities to account.
One wheelchair user told the BBC he experiences “inhumane” discrimination on public transport 15-20 times a month, with bus drivers refusing to deploy the accessibility ramp.
The government said there was “more to do to ensure everyone can travel easily and with dignity”.
“It’s clear that accessibility has been an afterthought in developing transport services,” said Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood.
The report found nearly seven in 10 disabled people and those travelling with them experienced barriers to travel either most or all of the time.
Charley Jonstone-Brent, who uses a wheelchair, said he ended up getting a bladder infection after the accessible toilet on a train he was on was out of service.
The train guard told him there was nothing he could do, suggesting he should “use another toilet” if he could get up and walk.
He told the BBC it made him feel “really depressed” and like he’s “not a person”, describing his treatment as “inhumane”.
“I’ve not turned up to appointments or avoided going on days out with my partner because it gives me such a headache and makes me feel so sick that this is happening.”
One partially sighted guide dog user who gave evidence to MPs about his experiences told the BBC he had reported 88 cab drivers for turning him away because of his dog, and 41 of those received a criminal conviction.
“Standing up to drivers who have discriminated is exhausting and it can be soul-destroying because all you want to do is get to work, or go for a meal, or go to a party,” he said.
Ruth Cadbury MP, who chairs the transport select committee, told the BBC: “I’m so disappointed that my fellow citizens, my constituents can’t make the kind of choices that I can make about how they live their day to day lives.”
MPs say that the current system is too difficult to navigate. They’re calling on the DFT, which is in charge of transportation policy in England, to simplify the system and to look at possible changes to legislation, which in theory, they say could be implemented in other UK nations.
The report calls for a change in culture, which they say is urgently needed to reframe disability inclusion as “a non-negotiable matter of human rights”
Last summer, LNER apologised to Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson after she was forced to “crawl off” a train arriving at London’s King’s Cross.
The 11-time Paralympic gold medallist told the accessible transport inquiry: “In my lifetime, I will not be able to get on a train without the permission or support of a non-disabled person.”
Transport for All said the report findings “paint a damning picture”, highlighting that the disabled community “does not have equal access to any mode of transport.”
Caroline Stickland, the charity’s chief executive, told the BBC: “We really welcome this clear call to action that the current state of transport inaccessibility in this country can not continue.”
“This report is a wakeup call for the government to address transport accessibility and make sure the UK is a place for all of us.”
The report makes 29 conclusions and recommendations – including one that the Government should produce a new inclusive transport strategy within 12 months.
The report also recommends that ministers look at simplifying the current regulatory and enforcement system which they say is “far too fragmented and complex”.
KOHIMA- Heavy monsoon rains lashed Nagaland on Sunday, triggering multiple landslides that disrupted traffic along both National Highway-29 (NH-29) and alternative routes, prompting authorities to issue an urgent travel advisory. While no casualties have been reported, officials have cautioned residents and travelers to remain alert as the state braces for more rain in the coming days.
In Peren district, Deputy Commissioner’s office issued a public advisory warning of several landslides along the Mhainamtsi–Pimla road, an alternate route frequently used when NH-29 is blocked. Authorities confirmed that the road is currently impassable, with debris and unstable slopes posing risks of further slides.
Meanwhile, flooding from the Chathe River triggered a major landslide near Pherima village on NH-29, the crucial highway connecting state capital Kohima to the commercial hub of Dimapur. Videos shared on social media showed massive debris covering the highway, stranding vehicles and halting movement of goods.
Emergency teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have been deployed for clearance and restoration work. Officials recalled that this stretch witnessed a deadly landslide in September 2024, which claimed six lives, underscoring the chronic vulnerability of the route.
The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) reiterated its warnings about landslide-prone zones in the state, urging people to avoid travel on unsafe stretches, monitor official updates, and remain vigilant in hillside villages. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy showers for the next 48 hours, raising the risk of further landslides and flash floods.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s office assured that state resources have been mobilized, and local communities will receive support. Residents in vulnerable areas have been asked to follow NSDMA’s safety guidelines, including avoiding steep slopes, watching for unusual cracks or ground movement, and preparing for possible evacuations.
Travel agents and ITCs – you are invited to the last Travel News Thirsty event of the year!
No speeches, no presentations. Just networking.
Come join us in Sandton on Wednesday, October 23, from 17h00 to 19h00.
If you are a travel agent, please email rsvp@travelnews.co.za with ‘Thirsty’ in the subject line. Attendance is by invitation only, so it’s essential to RSVP and receive confirmation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Travel Guides & Articles
India’s next travel boom to come from tier-2 cities as Cox and Kings shifts focus from metros
With rising incomes, greater connectivity, and younger populations eager to travel abroad, towns such as Jaipur, Indore, Faridabad, and Dharamshala are seeing a surge in families planning their first international holidays. Social media influence and financing options like ‘buy now, pay later’ have further fuelled this trend, making overseas travel both aspirational and attainable.
To tap into this demand, Cox & Kings has launched new franchise outlets in Faridabad, Gurgaon, Dharamshala, Agra and Ahmedabad, with plans to expand to 200 outlets in the coming years. The company expects the upcoming festive and holiday season to accelerate this momentum as families increasingly choose international vacations over traditional domestic trips.
Also read | Shashi Tharoor says need to change perception of India not being safe for women tourists
“Tier-2 and Tier-3 India is no longer a silent segment; it is the growth engine of tomorrow’s travel market. At Cox & Kings, we are combining our 265-year legacy with modern travel expectations to serve these new-age customers. Our franchise-first approach allows us to bring curated experiences closer to their doorstep, while ensuring the reliability and trust the brand is known for,” said Karan Agarwal, Director of Cox & Kings.
Industry data supports this growing shift. Around 8.7% of India’s population holds a valid passport, and in July 2025 alone, over 1.24 million passports were issued. By the end of the year, the figure is expected to surpass 14.5 million.
First-time international visa applications rose 32% over the past year, with more than half originating from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. New airports, direct international routes from smaller cities, and the influence of digital content are driving this surge, with Dubai, Thailand and Singapore topping the list of destinations for first-time travellers.
Also read | How tourism in India’s land of blue mountains will get a boost soon
Cox & Kings is pursuing a phygital model, blending physical outlets with digital platforms to support first-time travellers seeking premium experiences. Whether it is destination weddings, family anniversaries, or solo adventures, demand from India’s smaller towns is reshaping the country’s outbound tourism, with the company projecting that in five years, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will outpace metros in producing first-time international tourists.
-
Business2 weeks agoThe Guardian view on Trump and the Fed: independence is no substitute for accountability | Editorial
-
Tools & Platforms1 month ago
Building Trust in Military AI Starts with Opening the Black Box – War on the Rocks
-
Ethics & Policy2 months agoSDAIA Supports Saudi Arabia’s Leadership in Shaping Global AI Ethics, Policy, and Research – وكالة الأنباء السعودية
-
Events & Conferences4 months agoJourney to 1000 models: Scaling Instagram’s recommendation system
-
Jobs & Careers3 months agoMumbai-based Perplexity Alternative Has 60k+ Users Without Funding
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months agoHappy 4th of July! 🎆 Made with Veo 3 in Gemini
-
Education3 months agoVEX Robotics launches AI-powered classroom robotics system
-
Education2 months agoMacron says UK and France have duty to tackle illegal migration ‘with humanity, solidarity and firmness’ – UK politics live | Politics
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months agoOpenAI 🤝 @teamganassi
-
Funding & Business3 months agoKayak and Expedia race to build AI travel agents that turn social posts into itineraries