A DISABLED North-East woman took part in an undercover investigation to reveal inequalities in public transport.

Hayley Gault, from Darlington, believes local transport is failing a generation of disabled people.

The 25-year-old took part in a nine-month undercover investigation along with young ‘Trailblazers’ campaigners from across the country.

Trailblazers are a group of disabled campaigners who work with Muscular Dystrophy UK to tackle social issues affecting young people with disabilities.

As part of their investigation, Ms Gault and others contributed to a national survey and went undercover to rate their experiences on buses, trains and taxis.

Today (Wednesday, April 20), the campaigners will grill MPs and transport operators about their damning findings in Parliament.

Their report - End of the Line 2016 – reveals a bleak picture of disabled people turned away from journeys, facing abuse and being left stranded across the North-East.

It found two thirds of respondents had experienced problems getting on buses due to the behaviour of drivers or fellow passengers, which was sometimes abusive.

Half were unable to get on a bus because its ramp was not working and more than half could not use buses because wheelchair space was taken up by buggies.

More than a quarter of those surveyed said they were refused service by taxi drivers and had experienced difficulties in booking a wheelchair accessible taxi.

One campaigner from the Yorkshire and Humber area said she paid far more for journeys as a result of needing wheelchair accessible taxis.

Ms Gault, who has congenital muscular dystrophy, added: “We have only recently got an accessible taxi in Darlington; before then I had no options and missed out on social events.

“The buses are ‘hit and miss.’ Some of the drivers are very supportive, others treat me like a burden just for trying to board.

“This can make it very awkward with members of the public. Disabled people need a positive message that transport is there to serve them too.”

Tanvi Vyas from Muscular Dystrophy UK Trailblazers said: “It is disturbing to learn of such shocking experiences across the North East.

“The fact that young disabled people are being denied life opportunities by an inaccessible network is a national disgrace.

“While we recognise and welcome improvements to transport over the years, it is clear that much more needs to be done.

“Nobody should be left behind.”