Alstom and Back Up drive accessibility in Manchester
Back Up, a national spinal cord injury charity, has partnered with Alstom and Manchester transport operators to deliver a brand-new City Skills course. The training supports people with spinal cord injury to build confidence and independence when travelling in a busy city.
The five-day residential programme brought participants together to explore public transport, try new activities and share their lived experiences of accessibility with transport providers. A special Transport Focus Day gave participants the opportunity to travel by train and on Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Bee Network buses, meeting directly with operators to highlight what works, what still needs to change, and how the industry can adapt to better meet the needs of disabled people.
"At Alstom, we believe that accessible transport is not just a legal requirement – it’s a social imperative."
Partnering on accessibility
Alstom has supported Back Up's Manchester course as part of its annual Community Project Fund, which aims to fund initiatives across the UK and Ireland that deliver social and environmental value for the local communities in which the company operates.
"At Alstom, we believe that accessible transport is not just a legal requirement – it’s a social imperative. Supporting Back Up’s Manchester City Skills course through our Community Project Fund reflects our commitment to empowering people with spinal cord injuries to travel confidently and independently," said Gaynor Stewart, Head of Customer Service Delivery at Alstom.
She added: "Seeing participants engage directly with our teams and share their lived experiences has been invaluable. It’s helped us better understand the barriers they face and inspired us to keep improving our services. We’re proud to stand alongside Back Up in driving meaningful change for disabled passengers across the UK."
During the course, participants learned a wide range of skills – from navigating stations and boarding trains safely, to problem-solving when faced with unexpected barriers. They also saw first-hand the kinds of adaptations that make a real difference, such as improved step-free access, better staff training, accessible toilets, and clearer passenger information. These experiences helped participants to feel more prepared to travel in the future and more confident about tackling everyday journeys.
A new course for Manchester
“This course has been a huge step forward for Back Up and the people we support. Accessible transport is essential for independence, and this week gave participants the chance to both gain new skills and share their experiences directly with train and bus companies,” said Melanie Burnside, Services Manager at Back Up.
She added: “This is a brand-new course for Manchester and would not have been possible without the support of the companies involved including Avanti West Coast, the Bee Network, and particularly our principal partner Alstom. We’ve seen participants grow in confidence every single day, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Removing barriers on transport
All Bee Network buses in Greater Manchester meet legal accessibility standards with new zero-emission electric buses providing enhanced accessibility features including two wheelchair spaces, audiovisual announcements and a hearing induction loop. Work on upgrading other buses in the region is ongoing.
All Metrolink trams and tram stops are also accessible for wheelchair users, with TfGM working closely with Network Rail, Northern and the Government to improve step-free access at railway stations across Greater Manchester.
The Manchester City Skills course was held between Monday 1 and Saturday 6 September 2025.
