Red Funnel has been awarded a ‘Leader’ level award in the Government’s Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme (ITLS) by championing inclusivity, through facility upgrades and staff training. The ITLS is the highest level of accreditation possible, a status held by only 2 other transport operators in the UK. It is managed by the Department for Transport and administered by Transport Focus, an independent watchdog organisation. The scheme aims to encourage transport operators to improve their services for people with disabilities and mobility challenges, ensuring that everyone can travel with dignity, independence, and ease. The cross-Solent operator’s new website has been hailed as part of the overall offering, with more detail about accessibility and a step-by-step map of the passenger experience. Once at the terminals and on board, customers can now expect thoughtful service from Red Funnel team members. Staff working on the East Cowes/Cowes to Southampton routes have now been specially trained in supporting customers with both hidden and visible disabilities. Behind the scenes, Red Funnel also offers additional assistance via a dedicated support colleague in the role of Customer Services Specialist and Accessibility Support. The role serves to offer customers more a personalised booking experience, including support with obtaining NHS discounts, travel advice and more. For those with physical accessibility needs, Red Funnel has recently unveiled its state-of-the-art Changing Places accessible toilet facility at its Southampton Red Jet terminal. The industry-leading facility includes an adult-sized changing bench, powered overhead hoists with an adjustable pulley system, grab rails, an adjustable wash basin, and radar key access. For additional support and information, Red Funnel has gone one step further by displaying ‘Know Your Rights’ signage across the business, together with printed handouts which are also available in brail. Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, has said:
“We are delighted to be recognised as a leader in inclusivity within the transport sector. This achievement is thanks to the collaborative efforts of our team, which has worked closely with our customers to understand their needs. “Everything we do is designed to support the needs of our passenger, from the moment a booking is made, through to our onboard facilities and up until passengers disembark ready for their onward journey. “We are committed to continually improving our service, and there’s plenty more to come as we enhance the travel experience for all our customers.”
Now all they need to do is start running a service that actually works and we’ll be away!
Funny that the only award they can win is for their toilets. Surprised they didn’t win an award for most unreliable ferry service
Another waste of money? Build a disabled toilet, whilst leaving the normal loos, in a terrible state, uncleaned, often not working as well. Still I guess the only people who can afford to travel on the ferries are those on every benefit going.
Yes, strange that they can get an award for this when the normal onboard toilets are nothing but filthy, stinking, leaking cesspits.
But they still haven’t got the lifts working from the bottom car deck, on any of the ferries…
Still no facilities for colostomates though 🙂
Little point when the lifts rarely work.
Yet more clarification that Island Ferry services are going down the toilet.