Treatment of disabled gives cause to worry

The following letter is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Treatment of disabled gives cause to worry

I read with great interest that East Midlands Ambulance Service has missed out on a £130m contract to provide non-emergency patient transport services in the region. 

I must say it came as no surprise taking into account the regular complaints of lateness often mentioned in this paper. What did come as a surprise was to find that Arriva Passenger Services Ltd (yes that is Arriva buses) won the contract for this area. As a disabled wheelchair user I find that worrying. Arriva buses are a complete nightmare to use with a wheelchair. I have been told by one driver "sorry you cannot use the ramp we do not get trained on it." Another stated: "You can't get on, the ramp is faulty." Some of the drivers could not be more helpful but some see us as a hindrance.

If this is the treatment of disabled people on their public transport what assurance – other than at the moment the present EMAS staff will be absorbed in the transfer – have we the treatment be any better under Arriva's management?

Andy Murtha , Enderby.