Minutes:
The Sub-Committee made the following suggestions and comments:
· The Knottingley to Leeds Train via Wakefield Westgate does not stop at Outwood and yet there seems time to stop there. Northern agreed to look at this as he agreed it may be an option.
· There is not enough capacity on the Outwood Service and concerns are being raised in regards health & safety of passengers.
Passengers were pushing onto over-crowded trains as trains are already full when reaching the station.
· The 7.30am train is often unreliable so passengers are forced onto the next train of only two carriages.
Northern are aware of the capacity issues at Outwood. The electrification at Bolton will release more trains and these will be put at stations where overcrowding is an issue- Outwood being one.
· Disability accessibility at Monkhill Pontefract is an issue for passengers using platform 1. This means they have to travel to Knottingley and get off there to travel back to Monkhill to use the accessible platform 2. Northern confirmed that it is the responsibility of Network Rail to provide accessible access. There is also an ‘Access for all Fund’ which can be bid for – criteria being foot-fall at the station, population and its locality. However, as foot-fall is low at Pontefract it is unlikely to qualify.
Northern can only fund minor works such as hand rails.
They checked and can confirm that Monkhill Pontefract was included in the recent bid.
· Northern was asked to clarify their mobility scooter policy. They confirmed that they do not take mobility scooters unless they are the folding type. They do however accept wheelchairs.
There are a number of reasons why scooters are not accepted:
They do not fit on some of Northern’s rolling stock.
They have lower ground clearance then wheelchairs.
By law, they are a vehicle not a mobility aid.
There is an issue as to having ramps at all stations.
There is no national standard for operators allowing scooters.
Northern did however inform the Sub-Committee that Leeds NW are running a trial permit system at present as they have accessible rolling stock. Northern’s review is ongoing as they have to look at all stations as well as rolling stock.
As Pacer Trains are replaced it will be easier to look at this issue. Northern do want to take mobility scooters in the long term but also have challenges in terms of platforms accessibility.
The Sub-Committee felt that Northern should offer this service if other operators do and asked what would happen if passengers got stranded at a station. Northern confirmed that they would put passengers in a taxi at Northern’s cost.
The sub-committee requested an update at a future meeting.
· Wakefield bus station has a real-time display missing at Stand 14. The Combined Authority agreed to look into this.
· 189 / 187 service Wakefield to Leeds has had a 29 seater on it on some occasions instead of a double-decker which is not fit for passenger numbers.
Arriva informed the Committee that some buses in their fleet are currently undergoing retrofit work and when this work is complete the right buses should be on the correct routes consistently.
confirmed that ADL work Monday – Friday so have to fix buses during this time. There is an known issue as to reliability of double deckers which Arriva are working with.
· Signage for additional car parking near Kirkgate was still absent and causing issues. Northern agreed to chase this up to put signs in place.