![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/SENSE_NI_Jamie-T-5-1024x681.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou have the right to extra support so that your travels can be as smooth as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about accessible public transport, planning journeys and making complaints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this page:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Accessible transport: know your rights<\/a>\n
- \n
- Travelling with a guide dog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rail travel for disabled people<\/a>\n
- \n
- Planning an accessible train journey<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Passenger Assist<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Travelling by train as a wheelchair user<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Travelling by train with a mobility scooter<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Making a complaint about rail travel<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Travelling on the London Underground<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bus and coach travel for disabled people<\/a>\n
- \n
- Getting on a bus as a wheelchair user<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Taxis for disabled people<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help with travel and transport costs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Accessible transport: know your rights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You have the right to be able to use public transport as a disabled person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the rest of this page, we\u2019ll cover your rights on buses and coaches, taxis and trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Equality Act 2010 says that it is against the law for service providers to discriminate against disabled people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This means transport providers should make reasonable adjustments<\/a> to make sure their services are accessible for disabled people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On public transport, reasonable adjustments might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Boarding ramps or lifts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Free tickets for personal assistants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Timetables presented in accessible formats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Part 12 of the Equality Act 2010<\/a> also contains more specific guidance on accessible transport. This legislation applies to buses, coaches, taxis and trains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about the Equality Act 2010 and the law on disability discrimination.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelling with a guide dog<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is your right to travel and use public transport in the UK with your assistance dog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about taking public transport with your guide dog. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rail travel for disabled people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Transport For All<\/a>, only 13% of disabled people say they use rail travel with confidence. 10% say they don\u2019t take trains at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barriers to rail travel for disabled people might include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The cost of tickets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Overcrowding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Issues with step-free access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lack of assistance from staff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
All train stations and operators legally must publish and comply with an Accessible Travel Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each policy will be a bit different, but these are some examples of things they all should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Assistance for disabled passengers should be available at train stations during the hours that trains are due to arrive or depart.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Alternative transport options should be offered to you at no extra charge if you can\u2019t access a train station.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You should have the option to buy a train ticket at the station with no extra charge if you were not able to buy your ticket in advance because it was inaccessible. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You should receive help with your luggage in the train station (when this has been arranged in advance).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
See the full list of the minimum expectations for train stations and operators at GOV.UK.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Planning an accessible train journey<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can use the National Rail website<\/a> to plan your train journey before you travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will allow you to check the accessibility of the stations you will visit, including where there is step-free access, and find out more about facilities available on your train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also contact the train company you\u2019ll be travelling with to request more information or assistance on your journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hubs Mobility Advice Service<\/a> also offers free advice about accessible rail travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passenger Assist<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For assisted travel on trains, most train companies offer something called Passenger Assist. This allows you to book assistance with your journey up to two hours in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This service can help you with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Boarding or disembarking your train (with ramps if needed).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Carrying luggage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Navigating the station.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can book help from Passenger Assist by phone, text or online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about Passenger Assist.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelling by train as a wheelchair user<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most trains should be able to accommodate a standard size wheelchair (700mm wide by 1200mm long). If your wheelchair is bigger than this, you may need to check whether it will fit onto your train. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some older train carriages might only fit wheelchairs up to 550mm wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s wise to book your wheelchair space before you travel, as there is limited availability. Passenger Assist can help you find a space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For planning your journey, National Rail has a map showing accessibility information (including step-free access) for train stations around the UK<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wheelchair users and their companions can get discounted train tickets, without any need for a railcard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about discounted train tickets for wheelchair users. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelling by train with a mobility scooter<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most trains will accommodate mobility scooters of the same dimensions as the standard wheelchair (up to 700mm by 1200mm). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s best to check with your train company before travelling, because each one has its own rules about mobility scooters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some train companies will require you to get a Scooter Pass before travelling with a mobility scooter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making a complaint about rail travel<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have a bad experience while taking the train as a disabled person, you have a right to be heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should start by making a complaint to the rail company you were travelling with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re not satisfied with the response you get from them, you can complain to the Rail Ombudsman<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\nRahul’s experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Rahul-1024x1024.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cI like travelling by train, but I find the process a little bit stressful. I usually book special assistance a day in advance to get someone to help me to get me onto the train. When I get to the train station to let them know that I am here, a lot of the time they can’t find my booking and they make me feel stupid by saying that I haven\u2019t booked any assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I am getting off the train, I get panicky, thinking \u2018Is someone coming to help me to get me off this train or am I going to the next train station?\u2019. I have been on a train that had to make an emergency stop at another train station that wasn\u2019t planned, and no assistance came to get me off the train. It was lucky that I had my carer with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think that disabled people shouldn’t be made to sit by the toilet on the train because it smells unpleasant. It feels like disabled people are pushed away to one side by the toilet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Travelling on the London Underground<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The London Underground and other light rail services around the UK can be difficult to navigate for disabled people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Transport for All<\/a>, only 92 out of 272 London Underground stations are wheelchair accessible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To plan an accessible journey on the London Underground, there are several apps or websites you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- TfL Go<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Journey Planner<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Citymapper<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
TfL also has a range of accessibility guides and access maps<\/a> to help you plan your journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can get assistance from staff at Tube, Elizabeth Line and Overground stations<\/a>. You don\u2019t need to book this in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a wheelchair user, find out more about step-free access and wheelchair accessible Tube stations.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bus and coach travel for disabled people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bus travel is important for disabled people. Government statistics show<\/a> that disabled people use buses more than non-disabled people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet many buses and coaches are inaccessible for disabled people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find out more about accessibility of buses and coaches in your area, it\u2019s best to contact the bus\/coach company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also be able to use the company\u2019s own website or app to plan your journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting on a bus as a wheelchair user<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In most areas of the UK, buses should have wheelchair ramps and spaces. It\u2019s best to check with your local bus operator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The law says that bus and coach drivers must give reasonable assistance to disabled people. This means helping you get on and off the bus\/coach (without lifting you or heavy equipment). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This could mean lowering a step or ramp for you to access the bus, and\/or helping you with your luggage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The driver should always give you priority over other passengers using the wheelchair space. For example, if a passenger with a buggy is standing in the wheelchair space, the driver can ask them to move so that you can board. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bus drivers should only leave you behind at the bus stop if there is no way they can reasonably fit you on the bus. Otherwise, this is discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find out more about disability discrimination.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taxis for disabled people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You have a right to take taxis as a disabled person. The law says that taxi drivers should not refuse to pick up you because you\u2019re disabled or because you have an assistance dog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In some areas of the UK \u2013 mainly larger cities \u2013 licensed taxis have to be wheelchair accessible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your local taxi licensing office can tell you if there are wheelchair accessible taxis in your area. Find out more from your local authority.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in London and you have mobility difficulties, you can apply for a London Taxicard to help with the cost of taxis<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside of London, your local authority might be able to help you with taxi costs if you\u2019re disabled. It depends where you live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Journey Planner<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- TfL Go<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Taxis for disabled people<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Passenger Assist<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rail travel for disabled people<\/a>\n
- Travelling with a guide dog<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n