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Incident at Heathrow - are you affected? Call 0800 389 4193

Passengers flying from Heathrow today should contact their airline. British Airways has issued a helpline for anyone concerned about family or friends call 0800 389 4193 or log onto http://www.heathrowairport.com/

School Transport

The Children’s Minister Maria Eagle announced in September 2006 a groundbreaking £37m school transport reform package to make school bus journeys here safer and more comfortable. 

Consumer Council Welcomes Minister’s School Transport Measures

This announcement followed the Consumer Council’s repeated calls to implement a number of the recommendations made by the Assembly's Environment Committee in 2001.  The Minister’s announcement also addressed many of the key recommendations from the Safer Journeys to School report, which was published and launched in June 2006 by the Consumer Council, NICCY and DRD.  This report outlined the views of children and young people and their parents on travel to school.  Some of the key findings were:        

81 per cent of pupils are unhappy about travelling to school by bus, the main concerns were standing, 3 for 2 and lack of seatbelts

52 per cent of children and 63 per cent of parents expressed concerns about safety on public transport.

Developments

From 3 September 2007 ‘3 for 2‘ will no longer be allowed on school buses unless there are exceptional circumstances.  This is when three pupils sit on a two person seat. If a pupil, parent or teacher think that ‘3 for 2’ has been used unlawfully they should report this to the appropriate ELB transport officer or Translink district manager who will investigate the matter and if you are not happy with the response the Consumer Council may be able to take up the complaint. For further information see the related link below to the DOE Road Safety website for the Exceptional Use Guidelines. All school buses will have seat belts fitted by the end of April 2008 and standing will be removed completely by April 2009.

The Consumer Council will continue to play a full and positive role with the Government, young people and other key stakeholders to ensure a safe and comfortable school bus transport service is maintained now and in the future.

• DOE Road Safety Website

Air Travel

It is important that passengers know their rights under the EU Air Passengers Rights Action, when they face delays and cancellations in air travel and get what they are entitled to.  Airlines have a duty to inform passengers of their rights. 

We have found problems remain with airlines responses to passengers who are denied boarding or experience severe delays and cancellations.  The Consumer Council will continue to work with the airline industry and government to ensure that the EU regulations on air passengers’ rights are fully implemented so that passengers get what they are entitled to every time.

The Consumer Council has produced Plane Facts a handy guide to air travel that outlines passengers rights and responsibilities, among the areas covered are:

·       What to do before you fly

·       When you’re at the airport

·       On-board the plane

·       Your rights of things go wrong

• Plane Facts – Don’t Leave Home Without It!

Accessible Public Transport

The Consumer Council continues to work with government and transport companies to improve the accessibility of public transport in terms of physical access, affordability and availability.  We will work to get extensions to the concessionary fares scheme to overcome financial barriers to travel faced by many consumers.

Public Transport Reform Northern Ireland

The Minister for Regional Development announced in August 2006 plans to transform the structure of public transport governance in Northern Ireland in line with proposals developed by the Consumer Council and other key stakeholders.  The changes will provide passengers with a better integrated, accessible and value for money public transport system. 

The Consumer Council is currently working alongside other key stakeholders to take forward the development of a new structure for public transport in Northern Ireland. Passengers needs’ will be at the centre of proposed changes to the way public transport will be designed and delivered in future.

Passengers Are Centre Stage In New Government Blueprint For Public Transport