Disabled travel

HellsGranny

Hello All,

I have recently been confined to a wheelchair and am wondering about the practicalities of train travel, especially on journeys where changing trains is necessary.

Any advice gratefully received.

john1

Don't forget you may now be eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard giving 34% discount for you and a companion on many rail journeys including London Oyster see this link

If not eligible for the railcard then National Rail offer a 34% Concessionary discounts for disabled people who do not hold a Disabled Persons Railcard but this is only on Anytime fares see this link

Re Train travel accessibility etc the National Rail enquiries Information for disabled passengers section is your starting place

Owain_Moneysaver

A lot of station disabled toilets are RADAR key controlled, and staff don't always have a key so it would be handy if you have your own.

ABARKIE

A lot of times the station staff will ask have you booked

You need to give 24hr notice is a standard statement

Once you get past that, you may be ok, but you will always get station staff moaning over who should do the ramp and get you on the train

Often you will find that the station staff aren't there to meet the train at the other end

Contrast this with Italy, where you do have to give 1hr notice,but are automatically given 1st class seat (with free snacks and drinks), for standard fare and are "placed" in your seat and your wheelchair "locked" into place.

Good luck

SailorSam

I've seen signs up at stations saying let the staff know you're disabled and where you're going and they phone ahead to make sure someone is there to give you a hand.

GwylimT

Each station will require twenty four hour notice, it isn't always a success, my wife had to stop getting the train to work as the wheelchair spaces was regularly occupied by luggage.

D_M_E

In Italy, if you are in a wheelchair you have to give at least 12 hours notice - they prefer 24 hours - and not all stations provide disabled assistance, only some of the major city ones.


Having said that, if you and your companion turn up and manage to get the wheelchair on the train unaided, the train staff will most likely phone your destination station and arrange assistance/help to get off.


Also, if the wheelchair space is taken up by luggage the onboard staff will either make its owners move it or move it out of the way themselves, and I would expect the staff on British trains to do the same.

ABARKIE

D_M_E wrote: »

In Italy, if you are in a wheelchair you have to give at least 12 hours notice - they prefer 24 hours - and not all stations provide disabled assistance, only some of the major city ones.


Having said that, if you and your companion turn up and manage to get the wheelchair on the train unaided, the train staff will most likely phone your destination station and arrange assistance/help to get off.


Also, if the wheelchair space is taken up by luggage the onboard staff will either make its owners move it or move it out of the way themselves, and I would expect the staff on British trains to do the same.

Sorry,this isn't correct for Rome, Firenze (Florence) or Pisa.

1hr only

Miami

If it's possible, travel with someone you trust to wheel you around (the Disabled Adult discount gives 1/3rd off travel for yourself + one other person) but if not then book ahead, especially for longer journeys. Kick up a fuss if the conductor doesn't park you in the wheelchair bay (they're very fond of parking in the bicycle bay instead, but this restricts access for other passengers and is unsafe for you if the train gets in an accident). Don't trust the conductor to remember you; wheelchair-bound family member pre-booked her journey including a change at Bristol Temple Meads and no-one met her on the platform. She had to ask another passenger to fetch someone as the train would have continued with her still on it.

That said, you can turn up on the day and still be given assistance, although it'll come with an added dose of moaning. Like the train companies expect you to choose a specific train to travel on if you're buying an anytime/off peak ticket for the flexibility.

wealdroam

Miami wrote: »

...the Disabled Adult discount gives 1/3rd off travel for yourself + one other person...

It is worth remembering that without a Disabled Persons Railcard, that discount is only available on Anytime fares.

It is often cheaper to forgo that discount and buy Off Peak tickets, or even Advance tickets, instead.