BY JACK WELCH

As part of our typical routines, which play a role in a significant number of people’s lives, travelling on public transport will at some point be a necessity at various times.

This includes services that we access on buses and trains but not excluding other examples where we share a space alongside other members of the public; planes for instance.

There should be few barriers in our right to reach places, whether for leisure or work, with these services in place.

Sadly, as an important ruling in the Supreme Court reminded us, the provision for disabled people to use the designated spaces for their needs is proving to be a challenge for transport operators as well as society in general.

The victory of Doug Paulley, who has been in a legal dispute with First Group since 2013, will now help to force companies to take greater steps to mediate arguments when other non-wheelchair will not vacate a space.

In many of these instances, buggies are causing a difficult choice of who has priority of access.

As I am not a physically disabled person myself, it would be wrong to judge on who has greater right.

However, if there is one lesson for those of us who have good mobility, it is our responsibility to consider where we sit on any mode of public transport and recognise the often limited options disabled people have when it comes to wheelchair bays or priority seating.

Stories of how disabled passengers being forced to wet themselves and having to argue to board a bus, highlight the failing of government to strengthen laws and transport companies that have simply not designed their stock to support the needs of both wheelchair users and pushchair owners alike.

It is time to work towards a solution that can end an unnecessary division.