Association of British Commuters

NEW: Open letter from our Passenger and Disability Rights Coalition, demanding public interest duties at the centre of the Railways Bill. Many thanks to @CHinchliffMP for tabling these crucial amendments - we hope @Heidi_Labour will meet with us to discuss them further.

BREAKING: The @TransportCttee has secured a Commons debate on accessibility on Thurs 26th March. It follows our warnings that the Railways Bill will deregulate passenger and disability rights - betraying every demand of the Committee's 2025 report. abcommuters.com/2026/03/11/urg…

URGENT: Railways Bill to deregulate passenger rights, disability rights & accessibility, weakening ORR rights enforcement via the new Passenger Watchdog We request an urgent meeting with @Heidi_Labour @LordPeterHendy before the Bill reaches the Commons abcommuters.com/2026/03/11/urg…

What if there is a queue for the antiquated paper ticket vending machine, the train is arriving and if you don't get on board you will be late for work or an appointment? ScotRail is still years behind modern mass transit systems with contactless tap in/tap out using bank cards.

Disabled activist obtains ‘extremely worrying’ emails that show ‘rotten culture’ within rail industry #RailDeliveryGroup #AccessibleTransport @Doug_Paulley @ABCommuters @TransportForAll disabilitynewsservice.com/disabled-activ…

Taking the companies running our trains into public ownership isn't enough to make the railway work for all, especially disabled passengers. @Heidi_Labour should meet with the Passengers and Disability Rights Coalition to discuss how the Railways Bill can deliver for all passengers.

What gets written into the Railways Bill now will shape our rail network for decades. Accessibility, affordable fares and accountability need to be a priority and part of the law. That's why we're urging MPs to support these amendments. Let's get GBR right from the start.

If the culture of the railway industry towards disabled people doesn’t change, nothing will. kingqueen.org.uk/rdg

When I raised accessibility and usability concerns about Welcome Points, RDG briefed @transportgovuk - not on the accessibility failure I'd identified, but on how to manage me as a media problem. They recruited government into reputation management. 9/12

I'm a "vandal," I'm "raking in obscene compensation by bullying," and "vexatious." So @RailDeliveryGrp members say about me in private. Here's what documents released under GDPR reveal about how the rail industry views disabled passengers. 🧵 1/12 kingqueen.org.uk/rdg

We're appalled to read about the victimisation of a disabled activist by @RailDeliveryGrp - inc signs of media co-ordination with @transportgovuk A serious breach of Equality Act sec 27 on victimisation @railandroad @Heidi_Labour legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/…

#RailwaysBill #Accessibility Letter from MP and activists demands rights and accessibility improvements to railways bill disabilitynewsservice.com/letter-from-mp… via @johnpringdns

Many thanks to @CHinchliffMP for tabling these amendments and requesting a meeting with @Heidi_Labour. And thanks to all co-signatories, campaigns and experts for your support @Dis_PPL_Protest @NPCUK @TransportForAll @NFBUK @LevelBoarding @InclusionLondon @TransportActio2 @bringbackBR @GetGlesgaMoving @julian_vaughan_ @AnnieBtransport @Tanni_GT @Doug_Paulley @Christiane @newdawn75 @LordOrk @Seaofchangefilm @GarethDennis @Em_Sullivn @paulapeters2

Our proposals for the Railways Bill are the best chance we have to fix accessibility and ensure disabled people's equal right to travel: 1. A strong Passenger and Disability Rights Duty, ensuring proper rights enforcement across GBR, ORR and Watchdog (Turn Up And Go) 2. Public Interest Duties for socioeconomic benefits, accessibility and climate, inc "achieving targets towards a fully accessible railway" (fixing Access for All) 3: Duties for affordable fares and transport integration - the most important areas for equality as well as passenger demand/revenue growth. 4: Proper regulation of passenger rights and accessibility, including a strengthened version of the Public Sector Equality Duty in the Bill. Read more via @johnpringdns disabilitynewsservice.com/letter-from-mp…

We also need a publicly owned ROSCO to bring the fares down. Grace Brown showed how this can be done with green bonds last year in a report. It would result in savings for passengers and the government in the long run aslef.org.uk/publications/n…

Letter from MP and activists demands rights and accessibility improvements to railways bill @ABCommuters @Doug_Paulley @LordOrk @Dis_PPL_Protest @LevelBoarding disabilitynewsservice.com/letter-from-mp…

🚨 NEW: Tory plans to bring back minimum service levels and impose DOO across the rail network have been defeated. The Railways Bill will go forward without their ridiculous amendments. @LibDems, why did you abstain?

Our new polling shows that 7 in 10 Brits want the government to use all savings from ending rail privatisation to cut fares or open new rail services. If the government is serious about wanting to "step really confidently towards a new future for the railways", they should: ✂️Cut rail fares 🚅Bring rolling stock into public ownership 🛤️Re-open closed lines 📣Give passengers a voice on how railways are run. vist.ly/4qxms

Our reports on the Railways Bill and rail investment warn that Great British Railway’s framework is incomplete. @transportgovuk need to set out clear timelines, limits on political intervention and a stable long‑term strategy to deliver a better network for passengers 🛤️

Changes to ticket conditions to be announced on 1 March. From 1 April, walk up tickets will only be refundable up to 23.59 the day before they become valid for travel.From the date a ticket becomes valid for travel, passengers will have no right for a refund on an unused ticket.