The Shameful Shuffle: When Public Transport Fails Its Citizens
There’s a scene playing out in Glasgow’s subway system that should make us all pause and reflect. Rae, a full-time wheelchair user, has to bum-shuffle down the stairs to access the subway. Let that sink in. In 2023, in one of the UK’s largest cities, a young person is forced to drag themselves down stairs just to use public transport. Personally, I think this is a damning indictment of our society’s priorities. What makes this particularly fascinating—and infuriating—is how it highlights the gap between modern expectations and outdated infrastructure.
The Victorian Legacy: A Double-Edged Sword
Glasgow’s subway is the third oldest in the world, operating in a Victorian tunnel system nearly 130 years old. While this is a point of historical pride, it’s also a glaring limitation. Only two of its 15 stations have lifts. From my perspective, this isn’t just an engineering problem—it’s a moral one. The spokeswoman for Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) explains that the tunnels’ constraints make widespread lift installation impossible. But here’s the thing: London’s Tube, also built in the Victorian era, has made 94 out of 272 stations step-free. If London can do it, why can’t Glasgow?
What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about physical barriers. It’s about dignity. Rae describes feeling like an exhibit in a zoo when people stare as they shuffle down the stairs. This raises a deeper question: How can we claim to be a progressive society when we force people to perform such undignified acts just to get around?
The Campaigner’s Perspective: Rae’s Fight for Change
Rae’s campaign, Access2Transport, is more than a call for lifts. It’s a demand for equality. Inspired by London’s relatively better accessibility, Rae is pushing for systemic change. But what’s striking is their frustration with buses too. Wheelchair spaces on buses are often occupied by prams, and drivers frequently ignore wheelchair users at stops. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just about transport—it’s about how we value certain lives over others.
The Broader Implications: A Systemic Failure
This isn’t just Glasgow’s problem. It’s a global issue. Public transport systems worldwide are riddled with accessibility gaps. In my opinion, this reflects a deeper cultural blindness to the needs of disabled people. We design cities for the able-bodied and then pat ourselves on the back for adding a few ramps here and there. A detail that I find especially interesting is how SPT’s £288m modernisation plan overlooked lift access for most stations. What this really suggests is that accessibility is still an afterthought, not a core principle.
The Human Cost: Beyond Inconvenience
Rae’s experience isn’t just inconvenient—it’s exhausting and dehumanizing. Imagine having to plan every journey around two accessible stations or risk being ignored by bus drivers. This isn’t just about mobility; it’s about autonomy. What this really suggests is that we’re failing to see disabled people as full citizens deserving of equal access to public spaces.
Looking Ahead: Small Steps, Big Questions
SPT is exploring step-free access at two more stations, which is a start. But is it enough? Deputy Lord Provost Bailie Christy Mearns acknowledges the challenges, but the pace of change is glacial. Personally, I think we need a radical shift in how we approach infrastructure. Accessibility shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be a baseline.
Final Thoughts: The Shuffle That Shames Us All
Rae’s bum-shuffle isn’t just their problem—it’s ours. It’s a symbol of how far we still have to go. In my opinion, every time Rae has to drag themselves down those stairs, it’s a reminder of our collective failure. If we truly believe in equality, we need to stop treating accessibility as an optional extra. Because until everyone can move freely, none of us are truly free.
