Man 'humiliated' after being told mobility scooter too big for train
BBCA man with osteoarthritis and learning difficulties has said he feels "humiliated" after being told he cannot take his new mobility scooter on Translink's train services because it has been deemed to be too big.
Stephen Magee had been using his previous scooter for about five years without any problems.
But he said after Translink assessed his new scooter he was told it is 10cm too large.
A Translink spokesperson said the company was committed to providing accessible services for everyone and that all mobility scooters were assessed through an independent process to make sure they could be accommodated and taken on and off its vehicles safely.
Magee, who lives in Coleraine, said he bought the new scooter as the previous one had begun to show its age.
He originally contacted the Nolan Show to share his story.
He said he deliberately bought a scooter that was the same size as his old one, thinking it would be suitable to take onto trains, but after it was assessed he got a letter from Translink saying it was too big.
"I felt disheartened, I felt humiliated in so many ways," he said.
"I'm left not being able to go on any trains and I can't use the buses because it will not fit on any of their buses.
"It seems like we're [mobility scooter users] an inconvenience to people.
"I don't like the fact that I use a mobility scooter but unfortunately I've been left with no choice."
The 47-year-old uses the train about once a week to travel to Belfast or Londonderry, which he prefers to driving due to difficulties finding disabled parking spaces suitable for him to get his scooter in and out of his van.
"I went to the Fleadh [in Belfast] on Monday afternoon but I couldn't get parked, so I just had to come home," he said.
He said disabled parking spaces in Belfast were often taken up by delivery drivers or people without blue badges.
"It's almost impossible to get anywhere accessible in Belfast city centre," he said, adding that travelling by train was a much less stressful experience.
Magee said not being able to travel by train was upsetting to him.
"I have a lot of health issues and it makes those health issues worse if I'm not able to do the things I enjoy doing," he said.
A Translink spokesperson said that since 2023 the company had operated an independent mobility scooter assessment scheme developed in partnership with Disability Action and with input from the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC).
They said the company worked closely with IMTAC and other disabled people's organisations.
The spokesperson said the scheme was introduced to provide "a consistent, robust and safety-focused approach" to assessing whether mobility scooters could be safely taken on board Translink services.
They said Translink did not comment on individual cases but that all applications were assessed through the same independent process.
"Safety considerations for our passengers and staff are always our top priority," they added.
Magee said he agreed with the company's focus on safety but did not feel his scooter posed any risk.
"Health and safety always comes first, the safety of the passengers especially," he said.
"This is exactly the same dimensions as my old scooter and there were no issues manoeuvring it, getting it off the train or driving on the train.
"Even when the train has been jam-packed with revellers going to the likes of a festival - I mean you can't even get moved in the train - there's still no problem."
He said he would like Translink to think again.
"I beg really to Translink to reconsider their position on this occasion," he said.
"Obviously I cannot make them change their minds but I really would like them to reassess the situation."
