Safe Journey Cards

Mojisola

Does anyone use these? Do they help?

https://www.connecttosupport.org/s4s/EventDetails/ProductDescriptionTab/8eeaca77-ab6b-4e3a-be08-a0ed01272f6e?orgId=26debf87-5789-4faf-b76e-a0d301134c75
Safe Journey Cards have been designed specifically with the needs of many bus users in mind. With a First Safe Journey Card you can privately let the driver know what sort of help you need. Just show the Safe Journey Card to the driver when you get on the bus with your pass or ticket. There are several versions of the Safe Journey Card, you can choose the one that best suits your particular needs such as please wait for me to sit down, in case I fall or please be patient, I have difficulty speaking.

https://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/assets/pdfs/Safe_Journey_Card.pdf

DomRavioli

Never heard of the scheme - but the bus drivers round here don't care if you have a card, wheelchair or guide dog so would make absolutely no difference (and they are First buses!)

The card is a request anyway, not an order; the bus driver can and will pull away regardless.

If you have difficulty using the bus, why not see if you can get a disabled bus pass? In my local area, it entitles you to purchase "taxi vouchers" which you can use through a number of local taxi companies (we have issues with accessible buses and I live within 10 miles of Manchester) - don't know what it would be like in your area.

Morglin

Not got them round here, and London bus drivers are a law unto themselves anyway.....:eek:

But, we do have the London Taxi Card scheme, which offers a good reductions with taxis.


"London Taxicard provides subsidised transport in taxis and private-hire vehicles for people who have serious mobility or visual impairment.

CityFleet (the operator of ComCab and the primary contractor for the London Taxicard scheme) recently ran a competition for Taxicard customers who made an online booking to be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad mini...

Taxicard is a scheme that provides subsidised transport for people who have serious mobility impairment and difficulty in using public transport. Taxicard holders make journeys in licensed London taxis and private hires vehicles, and the subsidy applies directly to each trip.

The London Taxicard Scheme is funded by the participating London boroughs and the mayor of London. London Councils Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) manages the London Taxicard Scheme on their behalf.

Your Taxicard can be used anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, subject to taxi and private hire car availability."

http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard/default.htm

Lin

Indie_Kid

We get no help here with taxis.

Morglin

Got to be fair in that Ken Livingstone did do a lot for disabled travellers in London.

Lin

Cyclamen

I have seen these and was offered one with my disabled bus pass. I think it is a great idea.

In some areas they do work remarkably well, but it depends on your driver.. i think you'd be entitled to complain if a bus company gave the cards out and their drivers didnt follow their scheme.

I have a Visual impaired friend and just incase the stick and dog don't give the game away the card asks the bus driver to tell her when its her stop.

I can't use the buses here very often.. main bus stop is a few roads over and insufficient drop curbs to get there so know idea if they work or not.

we have the taxi vouchers but it's a total of £20 for the whole year which would take me to town and home twice in the whole year.. so i keep my bus pass as it means i can use the 'taxi bus' for hospital appointments at a reduced rate and my husband can take me as i have a companion pass.