Corporate report

DPTAC Main Committee meeting minutes June 2026

Updated 23 June 2026

10:30am to 3:30pm, Wednesday 17 June 2026, Department for Transport (DfT) London and online.

Attendees

DPTAC: Sue Sharp MBE (Interim Chair), Kate Denham (Deputy Chair), Carly Jones MBE, David Sindall, Mari Martiskainen, Mary Doyle, Rachael Mole, Ruth Murran, Mark Cutter, Victoria Armstrong, Paul Finnegan OBE, Zamila Skingsley, John Dales.

Officials: DfT Cross modal accessibility team, DfT Data Transformation team, DPTAC Secretariat.

Guests: Simon Lightwood MP, Roads and Buses Minister, Law Commission representatives.

Apologies: Miro Griffiths, Maral Nozratzadeh, Edward Trewhella, Damian Bridgeman

Welcome, conflicts of interest and minutes of previous main meeting

The chair welcomed attendees, including new members attending their first main meeting, and introductions were given.

Members were invited to declare any conflicts of interest. Members shared their new conflicts of interest.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed. Updates were provided on previous actions, including ongoing work on the Law Commission review, Accessible Travel Charter and rail reform engagement.

Accessible Travel Charter (ATC)

The committee received an update on the Accessible Travel Charter. Officials outlined work to consolidate commitments to improve clarity for passengers. Members welcomed the clearer structure and emphasis on strengthening outcomes, and discussed the importance of clearly positioning the charter alongside existing legislative rights for disabled people. The committee also considered the balance between a universal accessibility approach and maintaining a focus on disabled passengers specifically. Ongoing engagement with DPTAC on the charter will continue as the commitments are developed further, along with pledges, and accompanying guidance.

DfT Data Action Plan and accessibility data

DfT officials provided an update on the Data Action Plan, within which there is a commitment to develop a plan for improving the quality of transport data for disabled people. Officials discussed work underway to consolidate existing research on accessibility data, identify gaps and necessary improvements, and prioritise areas for further work. The group discussed the challenges of incorporating data on concessionary travel passes, particularly for older and disabled people, and acknowledged the need to address data quality and availability in this area. There was also discussion around the use of qualitative data as well as quantitative data, and the acknowledgement that benefits in this space are not just felt in the transport system but many areas of the wider economy.

DPTAC Code of Conduct

The group reviewed the draft DPTAC code of conduct checklist, inviting feedback on its clarity, relevance, and practical application, and discussed mechanisms for regular review.

Law Commission review of transport accessibility legislation

Representatives of the law commission working on the review of transport accessibility legislation discussed with the committee their current approach to engagement with disabled people and disabled peoples organisations, along with their approach to payment and recognition of participants time when engaging with the review. Members welcomed the approach and provided feedback, emphasising the importance of engaging individual disabled people as well as organisations and reaching people who do not typically engage with consultations or work of this nature.

There was also discussion of practical engagement considerations, including accessibility of venues, use of different formats, and building trust with participants. Engagement with the committee will continue throughout the scoping of engagement activity and the engagement itself.

Simon Lightwood MP, Roads and Buses Minister

The committee were joined by Simon Lightwood MP, Roads and Buses Minister.

The minister thanked members for their work and emphasised the importance of DPTAC’s role in providing expert advice and lived experience to inform transport policy. He noted the committee’s constructive engagement with the department and its tangible impact on decision-making.

He highlighted the departments key priorities on accessibility and the importance of DPTACs engagement on these priorities.

In response to member questions, the minister:

• highlighted achievements including accessibility improvements linked to the bus services bill and engagement with manufacturers and operators
• emphasised the importance of embedding accessibility from the outset in new infrastructure and technologies
• stressed the role of DPTAC in providing constructive challenge and shaping policy development
• noted the importance of continued cross-government working on accessibility issues

Next meeting

The next DPTAC main meeting is scheduled for 16 September 2026