A CAMPAIGN by disability-led organisations to save a body set up in Scotland to advise government ministers on issues concerned with transport and disabled people has met with success.
Now after its 11th-hour escape from the Scottish Government’s “bonfire of the quangos”, the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) is undergoing a fresh start.
New members are to be appointed to the statutory non-departmental public body established in 2002.
MACS, a body regarded by many as
“a specialist champion for disabled
people in public transport” was saved after a vigorous campaign by the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance.
SATA is an organisation bringing together individuals and groups with an interest in improving transport services for the disabled, either as users, providers or service planners.
It called for the reversal of a decision by Ministers who had proposed the functions of MACS should pass to Passenger View Scotland.
PVS is a statutory body previously known as the Public Transport Users’ Committee.
As well as calling for the decision to be reversed SATA had also wanted a new commitment by the Scottish Government to give greater support to the membership and work of MACS.
SATA said it feared that under the new set-up transport issues affecting the disabled would not get the attention previously received.
Concern had also been expressed by
the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
It said MACS had built up a wealth of experience and it feared this and MACS specific remit to promote the interests of Scotland’s disabled would not automatically transfer to the PVS.
SATA took its campaign to the Scottish Parliament and persuaded its Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee to vote against the government proposal.
Alan Rees, the SATA secretary, told TFN the MACS membership had run down during the campaign.
“Some resigned in protest at what had gone on while others were coming to the end of their periods of appointment.
“No replacements had been recruited in anticipation of the change.
“Now the government is having to find the full complement of 15, including the Convener. At least 50% need to be disabled people.”
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