Putting it to the test
Planning and booking
Many disabled and older people assume that public transport is too difficult to use. Some have been put off by bad experiences. If you want to try the service ask the bus or train company to tell you what they offer. Some arrange tours or visits to demonstrate what they can do.
If you haven't used public transport before or haven't used it for some time, pick a quiet time to travel for your first journey, such as the middle of the day. There will be more space, less rush and staff will have more time if you need help. If you are worried about the journey, start by travelling with a companion. And
- plan ahead
- make sure you have information for each link in the transport chain
- if you are likely to need help, tell the transport operator well in advance - give at least 24 hours notice
- check with transport companies that toilets are accessible.
Information and booking a journey
Eventually all public transport will be compliant. Until then you will need to check out any new journey before you travel. Information is provided by different organisations:
Local authorities are responsible for the public transport networks in their area. They should know what accessible services exist. They also know about concessionary fares. Some areas have a Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) who should be able to provide information about the transport in your area. There may be a transport information officer.
Some local authority websites give transport information. Some areas have access guides to transport as well as buildings. Contact your town hall for more detail.
Local disability information agencies (look under disability in the phone book) should have up to date information about local transport.
Transport operating companies should be able to tell you what type of vehicles they operate on each route, and when any wheelchair accessible services are running. In many cases these will follow a regular pattern so there may be no need to get in touch for every journey. Look under the name of the company in the phone book or contact the town hall if you don't know the name.
Traveline can give timetable information for local and national journeys made on bus, coaches and trains in England, Scotland and Wales. They have details on accessibility. It's open 8am to 8pm, and calls are charged at national rates.
Tel: 0871 200 2233
www.traveline.org.uk
In Northern Ireland contact Disability Action for transport information:
Portside Business Park
189 Airport Road West
Belfast BT3 9ED
Tel : 028 9029 7880
Textphone: 028 9029 7882
Fax : 028 9029 7881
tac@disabilityaction.org
www.disabilityaction.org
Booking
Trains
To make a journey in a wheelchair you need to make a reservation through the train operating company's helpline for disabled people. Some have online booking as well. You should book 24 hours in advance. The train operating company will arrange for you to travel and provide reasonable assistance at the station. To find the number look under Trains in the phone book.
For details of train timetables, phone National Rail Enquiries. It's open 24 hours a day. Note that they can transfer you to some train operating companies directly - so in these cases you don't have to make a separate phone call to book. They will give you the number to call for all companies, however.
They can also give you details of the accessibility of stations. Details are also available on their website - click on 'stations and destinations'. Do double check as details change and some information is incomplete.
Tel: 0845 7 48 49 50
Textphone: 0845 60 50 600
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Buses
With buses it's more a matter of waiting than booking. Bus operators should have timetables which show clearly which services are accessible. In some cases all the buses on a particular route will be accessible, so you just wait for the next one. On other routes there will be a mixture of buses - ask the transport operator what proportion are accessible and how long, on average, you will have to wait for one.
Coaches
Accessible coaches are operated by a number of companies. For more information contact the operator (look under 'Bus and Coach' in the Yellow Pages). The largest is National Express:
National Express
7 Triton Square
London
NW1 3HG
Tel: 08717 818181
Tel: 08450 130130
info@nationalexpress.com
www.nationalexpressgroup.com
next page: Concessions