FOI request detail

DAR safety information

Request ID: FOI-2540-2223
Date published: 23 January 2023

You asked

Please can I request: 1) Supply the training document that DAR drivers must adhere to in relation to manual wheelchair positioning & securing on the DAR fleet, including the approved positions for customers. 2) Offer an explanation for the image of my brother's wheelchair vs the seat backboard, my second journey. I have to question why my brother's wheelchair was able to be placed with the rear of his wheelchair touching the seat padded backboard on the first trip, but on the second trip, the DAR driver stated: 'not all wheelchairs can fit so that the rear of the wheelchair/user's head is touching the seat backboard', ...or words very similar to that effect. I did verbally query the position with the DAR driver as I felt the first journey had my brother appropriately secured, with the risk of neck injury reduced in the event of an incident. The second journey, I was not so happy with, hence the questions posed to the DAR driver. The seating arrangements and interior looked identical to the first DAR vehicle so I do not see why one driver could secure the wheelchair against the seat's padded backboard but the second driver left a 12" gap. 3) Supply the vehicle specification for all DAR vehicles - are there multiple seating/wheelchair configurations for DAR vehicles. 4) Are all DAR vehicles the same model, manufacturer and make? If not, can I request the details of all makes and models/versions of DAR's currently in use.

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-2540-2223

Thank you for your request which we received on 25 December 2023.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

1) Supply the training document that DAR drivers must adhere to in relation to manual wheelchair positioning & securing on the DAR fleet, including the approved positions for customers.

Please find attached the user manuals our drivers have for wheelchair and mobility scooter restraints and seatbelts used on Dial-a-Ride (DAR) vehicles. Also attached are extracts from our driver training manual.

2) Offer an explanation for the image of my brother's wheelchair vs the seat backboard, my second journey.

Our drivers perform a dynamic risk assessment of the passenger on every journey based on any information the driver has on the Mobile Device Terminal (MDT). We normally advise the following;

 
  • Does the customer have issues with their back and can resting against the seat course injury  Will the back rest cause any injury?
  • Does the customer suffer from neck injuries? Will the back rest and head rest cause any injury?
  • Does the customer get a better travel experience against the back rest due to lack of back or neck injuries?

The default advice is that the wheelchair fits best and reduces the chances of further injuries by being slightly away from the back rest, a lot of wheelchair users can have issues with their backs and necks due to posture and constant seating in the wheelchair.

The main thing to consider when using the integrated system seating is that the T-Bar is correctly and securely fitted to the mainframe of the customer’s wheelchair; this is considered the strongest point which is normally crash tested by the wheelchair manufacturer (usually sign posted with a carabina sign).

Please note the decision depends on the driver’s risk assessment and the information on the MDT. The driver should speak to the customer and / or carer to ascertain if there are any issues.

According to our Training Manager and Engineering Manager, both ways of securing your wheelchair as described in the email and attached picture, are deemed correct dependant on your brother’s individual needs and safety.

If you are not satisfied with how the driver secured the wheelchair on your brother’s journey , please email us at [email protected] or call 0343 222 7777 (option 3) to log the issue so we can fully investigate what occurred.

3) Supply the vehicle specification for all DAR vehicles - are there multiple seating/wheelchair configurations for DAR vehicles.
4) Are all DAR vehicles the same model, manufacturer and make?

Please find the vehicle specifications and make and model attached.

Every vehicle in the DAR fleet is built to the same specification for all seats and wheelchair fittings.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

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