THE shocking rise in hate crimes against disabled rail passengers shows the need for more staff at stations and on trains, unions and campaigners said today.

Their calls came after rail union RMT’s analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) data found that the number of hate crimes towards disabled people travelling by train has risen by 24 per cent over the last three years.

The union also pointed to surveys of disabled passengers, including one conducted by the DfT itself, which found that bosses’ moves to reduce staffing levels have made people with disabilities less likely to travel by train. 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It is frankly disgraceful that disabled people, who already take far fewer trips by rail, are being increasingly subjected to hate crimes when they do travel … 

“If we’re going to build back better after the pandemic so that disabled passengers feel safe to travel and the rail network is truly accessible, we need to stop the profit-driven cost cutting and put more trained and skilled human beings back on our trains and at stations.”

The union’s calls were backed by disabilities campaigners, who said that rail providers must improve staffing levels to protect vulnerable passengers.

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) co-founder Linda Burnip said: “DPAC and RMT have campaigned together for several years now for better staffing levels on trains and at rail stations as disabled, older and women passengers in particular need to know that they are safe when travelling. 

“Given the massive profits private rail providers make, there must be higher staffing levels and an end to all driver-only-operated trains.”