Wheelchair discount on trains

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Matt_Scope
Matt_Scope Scope Posts: 55 Empowering
edited April 2019 in Everyday life
Hi

fyi

As a wheelchair user who catches trains every day, for work and leisure, it recently became apparent to me that many wheelchair users are not aware that if they buy tickets at the station (it doesn't seem to be available online, presumably for reasons of proof). you will receive a 50% discount for you and one other adult travelling with you. 
This is without the rail card, (which I don't have) and only entitles me to 33% but costs £20. It is a separate discount, which relates to the wheelchair user not using a seat that can then be used by someone else.  I've had this discount for many years on a daily basis, for short trips and intercity, but it seems that many people presenting rail cards and/or booking online the are only getting 33%..

I don't personally book assitance either, unless I'm pre-booking for work purposes, as I find it works better for me not to and I usually don't know what time I will be travelling that far in advance anyway.  I just to give staff some notice that I am travelling and find it works just fine, although I am not advocating this strategy for everyone (especially anyone in parts of London), as many others don't have the same experience it seems..    

Hopefully this information helps someone.

Here is the link on the National rail site.

Matt

Comments

  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    Thanks for sharing! I had no idea about this! 

    It's also worth checking your local authority for a disabled persons bus pass.
  • Ami2301
    Ami2301 Online Community Member Posts: 7,877 Championing
    edited April 2019
    I had no idea either! Thank you for letting us know @Matt_scope :)
  • Zebra88
    Zebra88 Online Community Member Posts: 54 Contributor
    edited April 2019
    Thank you for sharing. I had no idea and now feel totally ripped off when I've forgotten my rail card and the station staff have just stared blankly at me and not even offered the discount! I'll be using this in future. 
  • forgoodnesssake
    forgoodnesssake Online Community Member Posts: 515 Empowering
    Yes i have printed this out before now off the relevant website for my son to show if necessary! Very few rail staff seem to know about it!  Though it does not cover all types of tickets if I remember rightly...but the website will give details.
  • Sam_Alumni
    Sam_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,602 Championing
    The website says;

    Blind or visually-impaired customers travelling with a companion

    England & Wales

    If you are registered as blind or visually-impaired and are travelling with another person, the concessionary discounts shown below apply for both you and your companion. You cannot get the discount if you are travelling on your own. Discount applies to adult fares only.

    Please take evidence of your visual impairment such as a document from a recognised institution such as Social Services, your Local Authority, The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) or St Dunstans when buying your ticket and making your journey. Tickets can be purchased from staffed National Rail station ticket offices.

    Customers who stay in their own wheelchair during a rail journey 

    If you need to stay in your own wheelchair during your rail journey the concessionary discounts shown below apply. Discounts are available on adult and child fares. The discounts below apply if you are travelling alone. They are also available to one adult travelling with you. Tickets can be purchased from staffed National Rail station ticket offices.

    Discounts available on adult fares

    First Class / Standard Anytime Single or Return         34% off

    First Class / Standard Anytime Day Single                   34% off

    First Class / Standard Anytime Day Return                  50% off

    Please note, that sometimes it may be cheaper to buy an undiscounted Off-Peak or Advance ticket.

    Season tickets for blind or visually-impaired customers

    If you are blind or visually impaired, you can buy one adult Season ticket that enables a companion to travel with you on National Rail services only at no extra cost. It doesn't have to be the same person travelling with you on every journey.

    Please take evidence of your visual impairment such as a document from a recognised institution such as Social Services, your Local Authority, The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) or St Dunstans when buying your ticket and making your journey.

    These tickets can be bought from staffed National Rail station ticket offices.

    Scotland

    Scotland has a National Entitlement Card, allowing free and discounted travel within Scotland to Cardholders who are visually impaired or blind.

    Cardholders may travel free of charge in Standard Class accommodation (no ticket to be issued) on the following services at any time:-

    All train services between stations within Scotland and as far as Carlisle and Berwick upon Tweed, by all operators.

    Aberdeenshire Council issue a small number of "Blind Taxicards" to persons who are both blind and physically disabled. These cards will be valid for both local and national journeys.)

    Companions

    Generally companions are NOT included in this scheme.

    However, where a Local Scheme as shown in the following pages includes arrangements for companions this will continue within the area described for each local scheme.

    The local authorities who have Companion Schemes are:-

    • West Lothian – Flat Fare or 50% discount.
    • Fife – 50% discount
    • Strathclyde – 50% discount

    Companions of East Lothian Council Blind Persons cardholders are entitled to travel within the scheme area at a discounted rate.

    Companions of Highland Council Blind Persons cardholders will be entitled to travel at a discounted rate both within Highland and from Highland stations to/from Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

    Further Information

    Speak to staff at a local railway station or call national Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50

  • Matt_Scope
    Matt_Scope Scope Posts: 55 Empowering
    edited April 2019

    First Class / Standard Anytime Single or Return         34% off

    First Class / Standard Anytime Day Single                   34% off

    First Class / Standard Anytime Day Return                  50% off

    The first line and the 3rd line seem to contradict each other which I don't understand, however I  just got the train to work as usual and as usual had 50% off (without needing a conversation). Its strange how it can be so different for each individual.


  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,777 Cerebral Palsy Network
    @Matt_scope this was a complete eye opener for me! I had absolutely no idea that this discount existed. 
  • exdvr
    exdvr Online Community Member Posts: 324 Empowering
    The Scottish National Entitlement card only applies to bus services, NOT rail services. It may be valid for the visually impaired or blind, I'm not sure on that one at all.  Better to check online before being disappointed at the station.
  • RJHM
    RJHM Online Community Member Posts: 15 Connected

    Hi everyone. I work for Premier Inn and I am busy creating a UK wide accessibility guide. I understand that those with disabilities love to travel as much as everyone else, but are sometimes let down by places where their needs aren’t catered for. We’re creating a travel guide that enables people with disabilities, and their carers, to plan their ideal adventure.

    To create the most useful guide possible, we first need to identify the challenges people face. In so doing we can find solutions to these needs and provide the most relevant, insightful guide possible.

    I would really appreciate your help, so we can make the UK a more inclusive place.

    Thank you so much.
  • RJHM
    RJHM Online Community Member Posts: 15 Connected
    You can reply to my comment by clicking on my name. I have created a separate forum for this. This kind of travel information is exactly the kind of thing we will be including.

    Thanks :) 
  • forgoodnesssake
    forgoodnesssake Online Community Member Posts: 515 Empowering
    Just had a quick look at Premier Inn website and whilst it seems to be possible to select "accessible room" when booking, it is not clear what the bed layout is.    It and also it clearly says that you only have wetrooms in some of your accessible rooms so people have to actually contact the hotel concerned to ask.  Surely it is possible to include that info online to make booking easier?  Also it begs the question in a way as to what is an accessible room that doesn't have a wetroom? Thanks
  • Matt_Scope
    Matt_Scope Scope Posts: 55 Empowering
    Accessible rooms are surely those that have a range of choice and are available to those that need them?. (as with train tickets).  Personally I would rather not have a wet room, but I still need the space.  The hotel chains that  allow me that choice are the ones I use.
  • forgoodnesssake
    forgoodnesssake Online Community Member Posts: 515 Empowering
    Yes i guess space and maybe different storage options and maybe lighting?  I just get frustrated becuase "accessible" means a lot of different things to different poeple and hotels almost never spell this out...

  • RJHM
    RJHM Online Community Member Posts: 15 Connected
    So sorry, I perhaps wasn't clear. Though this guide is being created by Premier Inn, it is not for the hotels themselves. It is a travel guide, just like any other of a local area, including travel, leisure activities, museums etc but from the view point of accessibility.  
  • Matt_Scope
    Matt_Scope Scope Posts: 55 Empowering
    Available at the hotels and linked to local activities etc?

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