EDF proposals for the TSI – PRM revision (accessibility of railway system)

16.03.2026

Andre Felix

The European Disability Forum (EDF) welcomes the announced revision of the TSI-PRM, as it represents an important opportunity to address existing gaps and improve access to rail transport for persons with disabilities. The main priorities for the upcoming revision should be:

Ensure level access and fully independent boarding. This could be achieved by harmonizing platform heights through the adoption of a single standard value. The current diversity of platform heights (mainly 550 mm and 760 mm), both between and within Member states, remains one of the biggest barrier to independent and autonomous travel. EDF remains open to discussing alternative proposals provided they achieve the same outcome: independent and autonomous travel.
Update the definition of level access to effectively allow fully independent boarding. The currently accepted horizontal and vertical gap of 75 x 50 mm is difficult to overcome by many people with disabilities, especially wheelchair users.
Require all types of rolling stock to be equipped with boarding aids for as long as level access is not the norm. Staff operated solutions, such as platform ramps or lifts, are discriminatory and do not enable independent and spontaneous travel.
Remove the exceptions for double-decker vehicles, which render them practically inaccessible for passengers with disabilities despite being formally compliant with the TSI-PRM.
Define clear accessibility requirements for restaurant vehicles and sleeping compartments, ensuring that passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair users, can access them on an equal basis with others.
Improve the accessibility of train stations by enhancing the signalling of platform edges and ends, strengthening the provision of visual information, further specifying the characteristics of platform seating facilities and harmonising tactile walking surface indicators.
Improve accessibility of rolling stock by updating the characteristics of interoperable wheelchairs (Appendix M) to reflect standard wheelchair dimensions, improving the design requirements for universal and standard toilets, requiring door-finding signals, improving internal circulation and clarifying the provision of audible and visual information on board.
Strengthen implementation and enforcement by requiring Member States to make concrete progress under their National Implementation Plans (NIPs), including setting ambitious targets and clear timelines for the removal of existing barriers.

Ahead of the discussions at the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), the European Disability Forum (EDF) reiterates that the primary objective of the TSI-PRM revision must be to ensure spontaneous and autonomous travel for passengers with disabilities. To achieve this objective, the focus must shift from a system primarily based on the provision of assistance to one that guarantees equal access, including through a higher level of accessibility in trains and stations.