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

Entry: Travelling by Train in the UK - a Wheelchair User's Perspective - A87838104
Author: SashaQ - towel - don't panic! - U9936370

Here's my attempt at a handy guide based on my personal experience.

If it is good enough to become Edited, I have an apt photo, as I sat in Seat 42 when I went on my holidays this year

I think this more than meets the standard well done every one should read this it will make us all aware.

well done good entry.

Good entry. Wish I'd written it.

And I think this could actually be an entry on Disabled travellers generally.

I am lucky to not be restricted to a wheelchair, but have been using travel assist for around 4-5 years. The most frustrating points are:

Having to pre-book at least 24 hours ahead, so no spontaneous travel, or using it when travel arrangements change.

The perceived hostile attitude from some staff.

Here is an example of both that I experienced in London 6 months ago.

I'd been performing and, for circumstances beyond my control, found myself at East Croydon station at midnight on a Saturday night. Due to the camber and curve of the platform, I requested a ramp, which the platform staff where more than happy to provide. They asked where I was getting off, so I told them it was Clapham Junction. The staff member said he'd get the message forwarded and, when train arrived, and I was being assisted on, was told Clapham Junction was expecting me.
When I arrived, no-one. I waved my stick out of the door, and called for help. Passengers had offered help but the gap was too wide. Eventually I jammed my foot in the door and a flustered and irate member of staff turned up. He was not impressed and asked if I'd booked assistance, I said no, but East Croydon had phoned ahead. He then threatened to call the Police for delaying the train, and wanted to know what I expected him to do. 'Get the ramp?'
'But that's the other end of the platform', was his retort.
'Not my problem, but if you want the train to move, I suggest you let me off'.
After much tutting and groaning and head-shaking, he begrudgingly went for the ramp and let me off, saying 'Next time I'll fine you or get you banned!'. Great advertisement.

Also expect to be disappointed at your destination. This has happened to me more times than I've been met by assistance. Luckily most journeys have terminated at my destination, where I've relied on passengers, cleaners or other people to help me off.

Being looked at witheringly by other passengers, especially when struggling down a moving carriage with a walking stick and trying to stay upright, but not hit people.

It may also be worth mentioning, as I found out recently, that passengers with mobility scooters have to get them assessed first and, if a category 3, 4 wheeler, then it may be parked in the guard's van, as the doorway on the carriages will not allow access for them. Even category 2 travel scooters may be incompatible. Some carriage companies require a permit to be obtained in advance.

Just my perspective. And I know have a travel, collapsible, scooter.

MMF

Thanks bob

Thanks MMF

Sorry you've had such trouble yourself... I don't consider myself to be restricted to a wheelchair - I'm definitely liberated by a wheelchair. I had my share of problems some years ago when staff forgot I was on the train, but when I have travelled alone during the last few years, I've generally got on very well - a wheelchair is relatively easy for people to understand, whereas people who can walk but not leap gaps are more confusing...

Staff attitudes are a potential problem indeed, though - I missed a train last year because the staff had a conflict about whose responsibility it was to help me... I'll think about how to add that in tomorrow.

I'm reluctant to make it much longer as I feel it has gone on a bit already, and I'm not well versed in the facilities that are on offer for other disabled people, but I welcome thoughts about how to shape this Entry.

Looks good

I too have had the missing a train, at a connection, where the staff 'forget' I useually find a suitable amoutn of gentle but clearly directed sort of almost moaning, has each time gotten me several free coffees and what passes for food on rail stations; one time they paid for a cab, to drive me the 40 to 50 miles to the final destination.....
I have found the reverse though; I found it more accurate, to not book in advance, but instead just turn up (the staff all know me pretty much at the CAmbridge station anyhow), and, just get em to call ahead to my destination or where I'm tranferring trains... some reason it seems to work better; I also always ask the guard, to call ahead, when he looks at the ticket, as a fal-back, to ensure hopefully one message got through...

Mind, the underground in London is ... pretty hopeless... It was where my journey nearly went wrong when flying back from Sweden... flights fine... transfer... blah blah... easy... on the tube... nah, no one to meet me at Kings X... luckily found a member of platform staff immediately I got off the tube, who took me up to the overground, and tehnce straight to the platform for the train to Cambridge guess its just a bit messy... and uncordiated, really, moreso on teh tube, but kinda the same on the rail network too I guess... Some rail stations seem a lot better than others... Entry looking good mind

I find it good that the staff know me at my local station now, too, so it makes things much easier, and I know I'll receive a friendly welcome. Some stations are indeed better than others...

If I haven't booked assistance, though, such as when the staff had the argument and I missed the second train so had to rebook my entire journey, I generally get a massive lecture about being inconsiderate to station staff as they might be pregnant or otherwise not physically fit enough to be able to lift the ramp...

I've travelled through London a couple of times, but that is more challenging indeed - I don't go by tube as I can't guarantee access at the tube stations, so I did a taxi dash across the city, which cost me extra, but worked OK (except the second time the first train was delayed, and the traffic was bad, so I had to rebook the last leg of the train journey as well).

My holiday this summer was successful, though - a long journey as I added the half hour at every change point, but I didn't need to worry about the trains being slightly delayed and I had plenty of time to ensure the staff knew what was what, so my journey proceeded exactly as planned

I've added in a bit about staff attitudes, and added links too.

Judging by MMF's experience, I suspect that the "Troubleshooting" section is rather optimistic. Perhaps you should change "the staff will..." to "the staff should...". The problems seem to start when the "staff won't..".

At this point, maybe you can include hints or anecdotes about roping in members of the public to help. As with a mother burdened with a pushchair, other passengers will no doubt volunteer assistance - even if it's only to run and fetch help, or call for help above a crowd of passengers. As a non-wheelchair-user, I would appreciate knowing how to help, or whether I should just keep out of the way and leave room for the wheelchair to manoeuvre.

Are you absolutely sure about this?:

>> you should alert the train manager either in person or by using the alarm button.<< - if assistance doesn't turn up? Is that not rather radical? Or am I confusing the alarm button with the communication cord?

Thanks for reading TC

I have tweaked the main body of the Entry to add more 'should's. I checked the Troubleshooting section, and there are quite a lot of 'will's in there that are appropriate, I think - if something goes wrong, the staff do not want a wheelchair user roaming around randomly, so they will do something even if it is putting you on a train to another station so you're Somebody Else's Problem...

I also clarified the alarm button - it isn't the communication cord!

I added a bit more about other passengers helping - see what you think. I could maybe say more about how other passengers have to squeeze past your wheelchair, so they can't fail to notice you sitting forlornly in the doorway...

Very good, I might make a suggestion or two, your tittle stats as 'Travailing by Train in the UK' I would like to see just a bit about general travel before jumping into the special requirements for those in a wheelchair. Please understand that here in the US rail travel is almost non-existant beyond a few commuter corridors. My nearest passenger station is a two hour bus ride from my home, and then most trips are equal to air-fare with a few days travel added.
I am looking forward to experiencing British Rail, you have given me several points to look out for.

It might also be good if you could give us an example of how we can help our fellow passengers who are confined to a chair, seek assistance or just leave us alone?


F S

Thanks for the suggestions FS

I have added a little more about UK train services in the introduction.

I also included a paragraph about people asking if a wheelchair user needs help. I just have to say I'm not "confined to a chair" though - I'm definitely liberated by my wheelchair as without it, I wouldn't be going anywhere

I added a bit about toilets, too

I hope that's better

Excellent stuff.

I was going to suggest a link to A505568, but I see you already have it.

TRiG.

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well done

Thanks everyone

I just found this link to official guidance
http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/clientfiles/File/2014-06-guide-T759-wheelchair-users-online-v13.pdf
http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/news-features/guidanceforwheelchairusersusingtrains

Might be handy to include in the new version of the Entry, as it complements what I wrote rather nicely

Do you want those links adding to the references tag, Sasha, or incorporated into the text?

GB

Hi GB

It is only one link that needs adding, but I didn't know whether it was better to link directly to the PDF, or to the news item that contains the link to the PDF.

The link can be added to the words "some extra things" in the introductory paragraph.