A Belfast student who uses an electric wheelchair has settled a disability discrimination case against Translink after buses repeatedly carried her past her stop because drivers did not deploy the ramp or allow time for her to alight. The incidents left her dependent on strangers for help and highlighted how routine journeys can become unsafe and undignified when basic accessibility procedures are missed.
The outcome underscores legal duties under equality law and the practical need for driver training, consistent ramp use and clear protocols at busy stops. It also raises questions about complaint handling and how quickly operators act when failures are reported.
Campaigners say the case is a reminder that accessibility is not an add-on but a core part of safe public transport. Reliable boarding and alighting, accurate announcements and prompt support are foundational to independent travel. Translink’s settlement signals an opportunity to tighten frontline practice and rebuild trust with disabled passengers through measurable improvements and transparent reporting.
