Wheelchair user turned away from both Dart and bus
A YOUNG wheelchair user was left stranded on her way to college after she was unable to board both a train and a bus in Dublin.
Irish Rail has apologised after Aideen Horan (23), who is a student at UCD’s Blackrock campus, could not get on a train at Sydney Parade due to a lack of staff at the station to assist her.
The business student left the station and tried to get a bus instead, but was left sitting at the bus stop after a driver told her the wheelchair ramp wasn’t working.
Aideen, who has cerebral palsy, took to social media to express her anger.
She claimed that services have deteriorated in the last few years as money troubles cause staff shortages in Dart stations.
After her attempt to board a Dart was unsuccessful, she was left with no choice but to catch the bus.
Aideen told the Herald that when it pulled up at the stop the driver told her “ramp’s broken” and closed the door.
“If a door on the bus was broken and people couldn’t get on, it wouldn’t leave the station but they’ll send one out with a broken ramp,” Aideen said. “I know we’re the minority but we still deserve to use the bus.”
Aideen had to return home and ask her roommate to accompany her on the train.
“I can’t rely on the goodwill of people and I shouldn’t have to,” she said, adding that last week’s incident was not a once-off.
The Ballinasloe native said she has also lived in Germany and Spain and travelled the West Coast of America and that Dublin’s rating as an accessible city doesn’t measure up.
“I love Dublin but for a capital city it’s not great for getting around,” she said.
Aideen lodged a complaint with Irish Rail when she had similar problems last year.
In their response, the company cited financial constraints as the reason for the lack of available staff to help.
Irish Rail also directed her to a disability assistance helpline to arrange someone to help her at the station, but she said that solution wasn’t an option for her when she is on her own.
Irish Rail has apologised after Aideen Horan (23), who is a student at UCD’s Blackrock campus, could not get on a train at Sydney Parade due to a lack of staff at the station to assist her.
The business student left the station and tried to get a bus instead, but was left sitting at the bus stop after a driver told her the wheelchair ramp wasn’t working.
Aideen, who has cerebral palsy, took to social media to express her anger.
She claimed that services have deteriorated in the last few years as money troubles cause staff shortages in Dart stations.
After her attempt to board a Dart was unsuccessful, she was left with no choice but to catch the bus.
Aideen told the Herald that when it pulled up at the stop the driver told her “ramp’s broken” and closed the door.
Aideen had to return home and ask her roommate to accompany her on the train.
“I can’t rely on the goodwill of people and I shouldn’t have to,” she said, adding that last week’s incident was not a once-off.
The Ballinasloe native said she has also lived in Germany and Spain and travelled the West Coast of America and that Dublin’s rating as an accessible city doesn’t measure up.
“I love Dublin but for a capital city it’s not great for getting around,” she said.
Aideen lodged a complaint with Irish Rail when she had similar problems last year.
In their response, the company cited financial constraints as the reason for the lack of available staff to help.
Irish Rail also directed her to a disability assistance helpline to arrange someone to help her at the station, but she said that solution wasn’t an option for her when she is on her own.
