h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A number of points that I've discovered since this entry went to Peer Review.

When booking assistance, ensure that the person requiring assistance can vacate the station. I had need to go to Hitchin, where I could leave the train on the Northbound platform, but could not board the Southbound. This meant going to Welwyn Garden City. There was a third option, which escapes me, but the lift was being renovated. Liverpool Street Station underground is another where, Eastbound I van enter and leave the train, but not Westbound. Not good to get stranded at a station which has steps or stairs.

Also, if the destination requested is not step-free, most rail operators will provide assistance, either by accessible buses or taxis, to reach your destination. Please check with the train operator.

One thing that has recently become aware to me is that, if using a mobility scooter some, but not all, rail companies require a scooter permit. This entails a form being filled in with the details of the passenger, the scooter, and a passport-sized photo of both the person and the scooter. If the scooter is the right size, usually 1000mm long and 700mm wide, limited to 4kph nd being gross weight of 270kg, the permit will be granted. Allow up to 21 days for the permit to be sent. I fell foul of this when travelling in Kent. I had used SouthEastern trains previously, where no pass was needed. However when having to travel to Tunbridge Wells from Richmond, Surrey, and booked the tickets, I found that the Richmond-Waterloo operator, SouthWest trains, Did require a permit. And I had four days to secure one. Luckily the letter I wrote to accompany the application must have worked, as I received the permit by return post.

Thank you SouthWest trains.

MMF

Thanks for commenting, MMF - good points... I'm very lucky that my local station is fully accessible, and the next nearest is not accessible at all, so there is no confusion about which direction I can/can't go in.

You are so lucky. My station, Kew Bridge Station, is a very busy station but bizarre. It is reached by steep, old-fashioned wooden stairs. Then, to make life tougher, there is an eighteen inch step between the platform and the train. I, when I could access the station, had to get on on my knees. Not very dignified.

Good entry and very informative. Thank you.

MMF