Can I take a mobility scooter on an Avanti West Coast train?

swingaloo

Trying to book rail tickets to London and back. Got a good advance price booking direct with Avanti but seats are limited. But, we need to take a mobility scooter with us and I cant find out if we can do so. When I google it says it depends on which company it is and there is nothing on the website to advise. Cant find a number on the website, just a message saying its faster to contact them by email but by the time I get a reply the seats will be gone.
Does anyone know of a phone number for them as getting no response to an email and the virtual chat is useless.  

Rodders53

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/assisted-travel  any help to you?

They have dimensions of scooters they'll take and a number to call to book assistance...

Of course if Avanti aren't operating the specific service you intend to travel on it may not help. 

Note that any public transport travel within London from the terminus may have it's own issues and rules.

swingaloo

Thank you for the link. I had just found it and had a look. Honestly its as clear as mud! Avanti do the route and I can book seats on it having checked the dimensions of the scooter. But looking at the seating plan on the train there aree only 2 wheelchair/scooter spaces available and the seats around them are taken so I would need to sit apart from hubby which is not a huge problem but we were hoping to be able to book 2 seats and park the scooter separately as its not that comfortable to sit in for the entire journey but I dont think you can do that. Will have to visit the station and hope one of the staff can clarify.

Rodders53

Call the flipping number and ask? Book "assistance" via them as well as tickets/seats.  I assume you can walk a bit.

0345 is standard call rate and free in most inclusive call plans!

swingaloo

Rodders53 said:

Call the flipping number and ask? Book "assistance" via them as well as tickets/seats.  I assume you can walk a bit.

0345 is standard call rate and free in most inclusive call plans!

Well, thanks for the advice! Yes thanks, I can walk a bit, in fact I can walk miles as I am not the disabled person but thanks for the sarcasm.

I did ring the flipping number, in fact I rang 2 flipping numbers! That was after trying the online bot and then speaking to the Facebook chat and getting nowhere as they didnt have a clue what seating I needed to book.

I got conflicting information from the agents on both lines so gave up for the night and finally got my tickets this morning.

Cyclamen

Hi.
 I cant answer for that specific train company,  but i travel by wheelchair on  trains and there is a box on the passenger assistance app to request a seat transfer.. we do this when there is space so i can sit with my husband.. i cant sit next to a stranger as wobble over without side supports.  So they do expect this as a need. 

The app, web form and email allow you to put this info down.  I tend to ring them as get a bit flusteerd and theyve always been supportive and discussed seat options with me. So they may be able to help if the scooter user can walk a little to move to seats just behind the accessible seating.. obviously state if the middle of the carriage would be too far. 

It's also quite common for the 'accessible seats' closest to wheelchair space to be booked but nobody sat in them on some of the longer journeys (not local trains), i assume due to change in circumstances.. but that's a bit cross your fingers and hope.