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Thursday, 4 December 2008

Travel and transport

Travel and transport

Travel assistance

Sometimes you may need help when travelling - either because of an injury or disability or because you have heavy luggage, a pushchair or a mobility scooter. Plan your journey carefully to make sure you get the assistance you need.

Before you travel:

  • plan the route you want to take
  • check if your route has step-free access
  • check to see if the station will be manned during the time you are travelling
  • let station staff know you are coming (they are happy to help but should be told at least 24 hours in advance what type of assistance you'll need)

Bear in mind that:

  • you will need to make firm travel plans and stick to them, so staff know when to expect you
  • if you have heavy cases or are a wheelchair user, staff will not be able to lift you or your luggage
  • staff may refuse to help if they think that doing so will place either you or them at risk of injury

Help points

Many train and underground stations have on-platform help points for enquiries on train running times and connections and for reporting lost property.

You can also report emergency situations or suspicious activity through the help points, using the emergency button to speak to an operator who is in direct contact with the emergency services.

Planning and station facilities

Not all stations have help points or toilet facilities, so it is best to check the facilities available at stations on your journey before you travel.

The National Rail Enquiries website gives details of all station facilities across Britain, from help points, payphones, lifts, baby changing and CCTV, to left luggage.

Transport information and assistance for disabled passengers

There is a wide range of transport information for disabled passengers and motorists in the 'disabled people' section of Directgov.

You can find out about special arrangements for disabled or mobility impaired passengers travelling by train or coach under 'Public and community transport'

In this section...

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