Which methods of transportation does my National Entitlement Card allow me to use?

EltonJohnFan

Good morning all,

I've had a National Entitlement Card (Scotland) for a few years now and I've really benefitted from having this card as it's allowed me as a very badly disabled person to get out a little bit more and it makes transportation so much easier and is essientially my lifeline to the outside world. I have to admit that I don't actually know which modes of transportation this card allows me to use because I've never been told and I've also checked the website there but can't find anything to give me an idea and I'm hopeful that maybe there's someone out there who can give me a clearer picture of the whole scheme. Prior to 2007 or so I had a locally issued bus pass but this was taken away and I was issued with the new Entitlement Card instead and since that time I've used it a great deal to travel on the buses with my carer or other family members supporting me. I have a C+1 logo on my card which means that I'm able to have someone travel with me free of charge and I couldn't get out without this support and value it greatly. The bus drivers have been very kind and helpful towards me and never rush me and I can't thank them enough for that.

I'm due to visit some family in one of the major cities here in Scotland tommorow and my aunt and uncle have asked me how I'd like to travel, really starting to worry now as I don't know how I'll get there. I don't want to go by bus as it would take many hours to get to where I'm going and my uncle doesn't want to drive as he said we'd be much quicker just taking the train to get to where we're going. The thing is though I'm not sure which services my National Entitlement Card actually allows me to use, taxi, train, ferry etc. I really hope that someone can shed a little more light on this scheme for me as I'd be embarrassed to turn up at the train station and find out that they don't accept my card and won't allow my carer onboard with me. I have no problem in paying for my train fare but I felt like I needed to ask this question as it's something that's been on my mind for a while now. Thank you very much for your help.

MrsManda

I live in England so have no personal experience with this but looking at the NEC website I think it depends on which council issued your card.
There's a spreadsheet HERE (opens into a pdf.) which lists the services which are available through the NEC from each council.
If you tell me which council issued your card I'd be happy to look it up for you if you don't want/cannot look it up yourself

FROSTYFRECKLE

I think it still a 50% discount on the rail fare if you are travelling within your Council region. Hubby has a card and can travel half price within Highland region but cannot use the card anywhere else. Best double check as hubby has not used his card for six months or so.

sunnyone

EltonJohnFan wrote: »

Good morning all,

I've had a National Entitlement Card (Scotland) for a few years now and I've really benefitted from having this card as it's allowed me as a very badly disabled person to get out a little bit more and it makes transportation so much easier and is essientially my lifeline to the outside world. I have to admit that I don't actually know which modes of transportation this card allows me to use because I've never been told and I've also checked the website there but can't find anything to give me an idea and I'm hopeful that maybe there's someone out there who can give me a clearer picture of the whole scheme. Prior to 2007 or so I had a locally issued bus pass but this was taken away and I was issued with the new Entitlement Card instead and since that time I've used it a great deal to travel on the buses with my carer or other family members supporting me. I have a C+1 logo on my card which means that I'm able to have someone travel with me free of charge and I couldn't get out without this support and value it greatly. The bus drivers have been very kind and helpful towards me and never rush me and I can't thank them enough for that.

I'm due to visit some family in one of the major cities here in Scotland tommorow and my aunt and uncle have asked me how I'd like to travel, really starting to worry now as I don't know how I'll get there. I don't want to go by bus as it would take many hours to get to where I'm going and my uncle doesn't want to drive as he said we'd be much quicker just taking the train to get to where we're going. The thing is though I'm not sure which services my National Entitlement Card actually allows me to use, taxi, train, ferry etc. I really hope that someone can shed a little more light on this scheme for me as I'd be embarrassed to turn up at the train station and find out that they don't accept my card and won't allow my carer onboard with me. I have no problem in paying for my train fare but I felt like I needed to ask this question as it's something that's been on my mind for a while now. Thank you very much for your help.

Are you a wheelchair user?

If you are you get a big discount without a railcard for yourself and your carer nationwide but you must stay in your wheelchair (I dont have a choice but not everyone is a full time wheelie).

GlasweJen

What local authority issued your card?

The reason I ask is if it was issued in an SPT area (around glasgow/lanarkshire) and it has an orange S at the top of the card then you can use the card to ride the subway for 50p, this does not work with cards that don't have an orange S.

Locally in Glasgow you can use it for local trains but I can't remember what sort of discount you get.

My card issued in Edinburgh when I lived through there let me ride the Edinburgh local trains but not the "big" trains even if I stayed in Edinburgh (so couldn't get on the train from waverley to glasgow and get off at haymarket).

My friend who lives in Orkney gets a certain amount of ferry journeys per year but this is for local people only and I think her card has a boat on it where my S is on mine.

Free buses across Scotland regardless of who issued the card.