A Coleraine man with osteoarthritis and learning difficulties says he feels "humiliated" after being told he cannot take his new mobility scooter on Translink train services because it has been assessed as too large. Stephen Magee had used his previous scooter for about five years without any problems, but he said Translink later told him the new one is 10cm too large.
A Translink spokesperson said the company is committed to providing accessible services for everyone and that all mobility scooters are assessed through an independent process to ensure they can be accommodated and taken on and off its vehicles safely. The company said it does not comment on individual cases and that all applications are assessed through the same independent process.
Magee, who lives in Coleraine, said he bought the new scooter because his previous one had begun to show its age. He originally contacted the Nolan Show to share his story, saying he had deliberately bought a scooter that was the same size as his old one because he believed it would be suitable for trains. After it was assessed, he said he received 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."
Stephen Magee says he is upset by not being able to travel to Belfast by train
The 47-year-old uses the train about once a week to travel to Belfast or Londonderry, which he said he prefers to driving because he has difficulty finding disabled parking spaces suitable for him to get his scooter in and out of his van.
He said he went to the Fleadh in Belfast on Monday afternoon but could not get parked and had to come home. He said disabled parking spaces in Belfast were often taken up by delivery drivers or people without blue badges, and that it was "almost impossible" to get anywhere accessible in Belfast city centre.
He added that travelling by train was a much less stressful experience and that not being able to travel that way was upsetting because he has a lot of health issues.
"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 added that safety considerations for passengers and staff are always the company's top priority.
Magee usually travels from Coleraine Train Station
Magee said he agreed with the company's focus on safety but did not believe his scooter posed any risk. He said it was exactly the same dimensions as his old scooter and there had been no issues manoeuvring it, getting it off the train or driving on the train.
"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 and reassess the decision.
"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."
Why does Magee want the decision changed?
Magee said the issue has left him unable to use trains and unable to use buses because the scooter will not fit on any of them. He said he relies on rail travel about once a week to get to Belfast or Londonderry, and that train travel is less stressful than trying to find accessible parking in Belfast city centre.
What has Translink said about mobility scooter assessments?
Translink said its independent assessment scheme, in place since 2023, was developed with Disability Action and with input from IMTAC to make sure scooters can be safely carried on its services. The company said the process is consistent and safety-focused, and that it works closely with IMTAC and other disabled people's organisations.
What is Magee asking for now?
Magee said he wants Translink to reconsider its position and reassess his scooter. He said he accepts that health and safety must come first, but maintains that his scooter should not pose a danger because it is the same size as his old one and had been used on trains without issues.
