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Transport and travel > Travel information for disabled people | ||
Travel information for disabled peopleBusesFully accessible low-floor vehicles - including double-deckers - are now progressively being introduced on all mainstream bus services. Low-floor buses have ‘kneeling’ suspension and step-free access, making it easier for everyone to get on board - especially older people and parents with pushchairs. Wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs up to a maximum width of 70cm and length of 120cm can be conveyed on all low-floor accessible buses subject to availability of space. New buses now entering service have a retractable ramp, at the second door if the bus has a dual-doorway layout, so that a wheelchair user can travel in the designated space within the vehicle. At the end of March 2004, 91 per cent of the total bus fleet of 6,663 was wheelchair accessible. Most older buses still in use are designed to meet the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) Specification. Fully accessible buses that meet the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) will replace all of these buses by no later then 2017. Buses - further information
TubeAccess to most underground stations is via numerous steps. The system can become extremely crowded at peak times and, therefore, difficult for those with mobility problems. Jubilee Line trains are wheelchair accessible from all the new stations between Westminster and Stratford – stations can be reached via lift. You are advised to check the operation of lifts by calling +44 (020) 7308 2800 (during office hours) or +44 (020) 7222 1234 (evenings and weekends). Tube - further information
Dial-a RideDial-a-Ride is a multi-occupancy door-to-door transport service for disabled people who cannot use buses, trains and the Tube. It can be used for all sorts of journeys, for example shopping, visiting friends and family, doctors and dentists appointments and going out at night. Dial-a-Ride is a membership service which you pre-book. You will usually be expected to travel with other passengers going in the same direction and may have your journey time extended by picking up or dropping off others on the way to your destination. Dial-a-Ride is generally best for providing local trips, but longer journeys can often be arranged on request. As of 1 January 2008, Dial-a-Ride members travel free of charge. For more information visit TfL's Dial-a Ride website. Travel Assistance SchemeDial-a-Ride also operates a Travel Assistance Scheme which aims to give disabled Londoners the information and confidence they need to make use of accessible public transport, whether on its own or using Dial-a-Ride or Taxicard at either end of the journey. The Scheme provides those wanting to travel either for the first time, or for the first time in a while, with a short-term ‘buddy’ to increase their confidence in using public transport. The aim is to enable people to become independent travellers on public transport. More information is available on the Dial-a Ride website. Driving and parkingDriving and the congestion chargeIndividuals or institutions in receipt of a Blue Badge are eligible for a 100 per cent discount from congestion charging. This applies to individual Blue Badge holders throughout the European Union. After registering and making a one-off payment of £10, holders of this discount are not required to pay the congestion charge when they enter the congestion charging zone. Further information and an application form are available from the Congestion Charge website. Parking and the National Blue Badge SchemeParking regulations differ from borough to borough. Unless a local traffic order, specifying a time limit for holders of disabled parking badges, is in force Blue Badge holders may park free of charge and without time limit at parking meters on-street and ‘pay-and-display’ on-street parking. Parking and waiting time is limited in many areas around the West End of London. The Blue Badge scheme has only limited application in Westminster, the City of London and parts of Kensington, Chelsea and Camden. In these areas badge holders are not allowed to park on yellow lines during the day. Parking - further informationFurther information on the Blue Badge Scheme is available from the Department for Transport's website via the following links:
TramlinkTramlink has been designed to be fully accessible to disabled passengers. All tram stops provide step-free access. At some stations there are passenger lifts to provide connections to other rail services as well as to and from street level. To assist blind and partially sighted passengers, each stop has a tactile strip along its entire length, a safe distance from the platform edge. Wheelchair users can easily get on and off and there is a wheelchair bay in each section of the tram. There is an intercom next to this space to speak to the driver in an emergency and a stop request button – both at a low level. All doors have an opening button at an accessible height. There are priority seats for elderly and disabled people in each section of the tram and plenty of easy-to-reach stop request buttons. The next stop is announced as the tram leaves each station and is also shown on the internal display. RailSpecial arrangements can be made for disabled or mobility-impaired passengers. For example, staff can meet you at your departure station and accompany you to the train, and similar arrangements can be made at your destination. Before you travel, visit the National Rail website for contact details of the train operator (including mobility-impaired helplines and minicom/textphone). It is best to contact the train operator at least 24 hours before your journey as they will be better able to help. The Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers guide will help you plan your journey so that you may use the stations and trains that are best equipped to meet your needs. It should also help you to get the best value for money. The Disabled Persons Railcard allows you to buy discounted rail tickets. If another adult is travelling with you, they can also travel at the same discounted fare. If you do not qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard, you may be eligible another Railcard. If you are 60 years old or over, 16 to 25 years old or, in some circumstances, if you are a mature student or travel with children, you may be eligible for one of the other categories of Railcards (Senior, Young Persons and Family Railcards). Phone 08457 48 49 50 or visit the Railcards website for more information. Phone: 08457 48 49 50 Travelling between stationsVarious bus routes link the main stations in central London and are normally operated by buses with easy-access low floors and ramps for wheelchair users. Contact London Travel Information on 020 7222 1234 or Transport for London Access and Mobility (telephone/textphone) on 020 7941 4600 (office hours only). Docklands Light Railway (DLR)Docklands Light Railway was the first fully accessible railway in the UK, making access for wheelchair users and people with young children in prams or with heavy bags much easier. There are lifts, escalators and/or ramps on every station platform of the DLR and all platforms are level with the trains for step free access. There is also a designated wheelchair bay on every train. There are a minimum of two designated wheelchair / pram bays on every train which can be identified by the wheelchair symbol on the train window. Please utilise these bays where possible and use your brakes when the train is in motion. Platforms have tactile edges for visually impaired passengers and train information is announced on Passenger Information Displays and by audio station announcements. DLR - further information
TaxisAll black cabs are wheelchair accessible and most have a variety of additional aids for disabled travellers, including;
TaxicardThe Taxicard scheme, financed by the London boroughs and the Mayor of London, provides subsidised trips in licensed taxis for Londoners with serious mobility problems who have difficulty in using public transport. For more information, visit the Taxicard pages on TfL's website. EurostarStaff are on hand in Eurostar terminals to help passengers with restricted mobility and other special needs. If you think you might need help getting to or from the train, you are advised to arrive as early as you can (preferably at least 45 minutes prior to departure) at the check-in area and ask a member of staff. Wheelchair usersThe wheelchair user fare enables you to travel in your own wheelchair in a special part of the train. One travelling companion can accompany you at a reduced rate, but please note that you must travel together on Eurostar for the companion fare to be valid. For further details
FlyingIf you have a special need and require assistance the key to a successful trip is planning. The tips:
HeathrowFor general enquiries contact the call centre on 0870 0000123 or +44 (0)20 8745 7950 for the Heathrow call centre minicom. If you need further help or advice concerning your travel arrangements, Heathrow Travel-care (an airport-based charity) can be contacted on +44 (0)208 745 7495. (Please note the minicom number is for use by deaf or hard of hearing customers only.) GatwickFor general advice
Stansted
Luton
London City Airport
Travel-CareTravel Care is an independent agency, with charitable status, offering advice to anyone at Heathrow or Gatwick who has a problem, whatever the situation.
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