Disabled railcard accompanied travel

thomaspencoed

I am about to buy a Disabled persons railcard for my wife who uses a hearing aid. I believe I can travel with her at a discount but does she HAVE to be accompanied as some categories of disabled do. She is quite capable of travelling on her own and mostly does so.
If someone can give me the definitive answer on this I will be most grateful

duchy

Why do you think some disabled people are required to have a companion when travelling by rail ?

Indie_Kid

She doesn't need to be acompanied. I tend to make some journeys by myself and have never been asked about it. The ticket inspector just checks my ticket and railcard and that's it. I did have one ask me if I needed help and nothing more.

thomaspencoed

Hello duchy, I read it somewhere on the railcard website

Thanks Indie kid that seems to answer it

nannytone_2

o always travel alone.
someone puts me on the train at the start of my journery and someone collects me at the end.
the train stagg are always excellent with their help... as long as youy give them warning.

gardenia101

I've never been asked if I need help or why I haven't got anyone traveling with me - but I'm visually impaired so my disbility isn't obvious (until I fall over something :rotfl:).

I've never been questioned on the odd times I've needed someone to travel with me either.

Savvy_Sue

Indie_Kid wrote: »

I did have one ask me if I needed help and nothing more.

Yup, I've only once been asked if I needed help.

OP, the only thing to be aware of is that if you do travel with your wife and get the discount on both tickets, you can't then split up and you still use the ticket - your wife can use hers but they'll both be labelled 'disabled' and you won't be able to show the railcard if you're not with her. Obviously that may not happen very often, but occasionally DH and I travel in to work together but end up traveling home separately, so he needs a normal ticket.

nannytone_2

gardenia101 wrote: »

I've never been asked if I need help or why I haven't got anyone traveling with me - but I'm visually impaired so my disbility isn't obvious (until I fall over something :rotfl:).

I've never been questioned on the odd times I've needed someone to travel with me either.

i am blind, but look 'normal' ( my eyes look the same as normally sighted peoples eyes)
that is why you need to book assisstance in advance.
the station staff will put you on the train and tell the train manager that you are aboard and what carriage/seat you are in.
they dont constantly hover over you, but they definately keep an eye out for you if you move out of your seat!
its been 2 years since i started booking assisstance and have taken about 8 long distance trips. when it is busy, they are inclined to put you into first class, regardless of your ticket, it has happened to me 3 times in 8 journeys!

thomaspencoed

Once again many thanks for all your helpful replies to my post

garfield413

thomaspencoed wrote: »

I am about to buy a Disabled persons railcard for my wife who uses a hearing aid. I believe I can travel with her at a discount but does she HAVE to be accompanied as some categories of disabled do. She is quite capable of travelling on her own and mostly does so.
If someone can give me the definitive answer on this I will be most grateful

The other brilliant thing about the railcard (apart from both the disabled person and their carer being entitled to a third off rail fare) is that your wife can use the card for herself and a friend if you aren't going with her, as the carer doesn't have to be the same person each time. I use mine on work trips with a different colleague each time.

I have to admit I'd be happier if there was photo ID on the railcard though to prevent it being used by someone else but hey ho. Maybe soon.

nannytone_2

garfield413 wrote: »

The other brilliant thing about the railcard (apart from both the disabled person and their carer being entitled to a third off rail fare) is that your wife can use the card for herself and a friend if you aren't going with her, as the carer doesn't have to be the same person each time. I use mine on work trips with a different colleague each time.

I have to admit I'd be happier if there was photo ID on the railcard though to prevent it being used by someone else but hey ho. Maybe soon.

it does seem odd that there is no need for identification, but i suppose as it isnt taxpayer funded, then the rail companies only hurt themselves ( though this could be disputed, as rail prices charged to the general public must be funding this scheme)
its also rather strange, that after your apply initially, no subsequant checks are made in following years to ensure the cardholder is still entitled