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GMPTE is committed to improving access to public transport services and facilities for everyone by:

• Working in partnership with disabled people to develop services which meet their needs
• Making passenger information clear and easy to find and providing it in different formats, such as large print, braille, on audio cassette and CD or in alternative languages.
• Providing travel passes/permits and travel vouchers to reduce the cost of travel on public transport
• Providing a Voluntary Sector grants scheme to help improve the travel opportunities of disabled people
• Improving access at stations and stops

Consultation
All GMPTE’s consultation processes are open to disabled people. In addition, GMPTE has set up an Access Panel and Disability Advisory Group to ensure that the views of disabled people are obtained. This is achieved through GMPTE’s:

Access Panel
The Panel is made up of up to 400 disabled people who have agreed to be contacted up to 4 times per year for their views about a broad range of public transport issues.

Disability Advisory Group
This Group is made up of up to 20 disabled people who meet every month to discuss in depth access and disability issues in relation to public transport.

Information
GMPTE provides timetable information for most local bus and train services and provides numerous promotional and information leaflets, all of which are available in a range of different formats on request, for example, in braille or on audio cassette or via electronic media, and in other languages. Effort is made to ensure that publicity material are produced in plain language, and we are corporate members of the Plain English Campaign.

Access guides for Road, Rail and Metrolink services are available and are designed for journey planning. They contain useful access information about planning travel in and around the Greater Manchester area. The Road based guides gives general information about door-to-door services, taxis and private hire cars, accessible buses and coaches. The Rail and Metrolink guides highlight the access features and barriers at each station/stop enabling passengers to plan their journey.

For further information about access initiatives in Greater Manchester contact:

Access Officer, Community Resources, GMPTE, 9 Portland Street, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, M60 1HX.

Tel: 0161-242 6243 (textphone also available on this line)
Email: communityresources@gmpte.gov.uk