Wheels within wheels - a guide to using a wheelchair on public transport 2005 (view report contents)
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: 0870 608 2 608
Textphone: 0870 241 2216
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
e-mail: 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. To find the number look under Trains in the phone book or phone National Rail Enquiries. It’s open 24 hours a day. There is an online journey planner and phone numbers of the train companies
Tel: 0845 7 48 49 50
Textphone: 0845 60 50 600
www.nationalrail.co.uk
In future National Rail Enquiries should be able to transfer you to the train operating company directly. Until then they will give you the number to call. The train operating company will arrange for you to travel and provide reasonable assistance at the station.
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:
Additional Needs Unit
National Express
PO Box 9854
Birmingham B16 8XN
Tel: 0121 423 8479
Textphone: 0121 455 0086
email: dpth@nationalexpress.com
www.nationalexpress.com
Report Contents
Introduction
The law
Travelling
in a wheelchair
Trains and trams
Buses
Coaches
Taxis
Planning & booking a journey
Concessions
Reporting back & complaining
Information, help and advice
Details
of manual wheelchairs
Details
of manual wheelchairs - to be pushed by someone else
Details
of powered wheelchairs
