Chapter 6 – Transport
This chapter contains lots of information about transport services. For general advice on transport that is accessible for all, you can contact these organisations:
Transport for All
Provides information and advice for disabled transport users in London.
336 Brixton Rd, London SW9 7AA
Tel: 020 7737 2339
Text: 07984 755 894
Email: contactus@transportforall.org.uk
Freedom Pass: if you have any questions about your older person Freedom Pass renewal, please contact the Freedom Pass Helpline: 0300 330 1433 or Email info@freedompass.org
Public transport services and concessions
Transport for London
TFL travel information
Telephone:0343 222 1234
Cabwise
Request numbers of licensed minicab firms in your geographical proximity
Telephone: 60835
35p plus standard network tariff. To opt out Send HOME STOP to 60835
Traveline
Information on public transport throughout the UK
Telephone: 0871 200 22 33
Textline: 84268
Web: http://www.traveline.info/
Bus Travel
All buses in the borough have a low floor and have a wheelchair ramp. The wheelchair space on buses cannot take a wheelchair bigger than 70cm in width and 120cm in length.
Coach Travel
National Express may be able to provide assistance.
Telephone: 0871 781 8181 [Bookings and Travel enquiries] 0371 781 8181 [Everything Else]
National Express main website: http://www.nationalexpress.com
Enquiry Form: http://www.nationalexpress.com/Help-and-advice/contact-us.aspx
Victoria Coach Station mobility lounge offers mobility assistance to and from coaches and a waiting area.
Tel: 020 7027 2520
Rail Travel
Assisted Travel
Most train operating companies have a department that deals with assisted travel.
When planning a journey you can ring National Rail Enquiries Telephone: 03457 48 49 50
Textphone: 0345 60 50 600
They will advise which operating company runs any given route and the telephone numbers of the assisted travel teams that cover your journey. Usually 24 hours notice is needed to provide assisted travel.
The main rail operating companies serving the SW London area each have separate assisted travel on their trains. Where certain stations are not accessible, they will advise the nearest suitable one.
Southern Railway Assisted Travel
Tel: 0800 138 1016
Text phone: 0800 138 1018
Email: myjourney@southernrailway.com
Southwest Trains Assisted Travel
Telephone: 0800 52 82 100
Online booking: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/assisted-travel-form.aspx
London Overground Assisted Passenger Reservation System
Telephone: 0343 222 1234
Email: overgroundinfo@tfl.gov.uk
London Underground
Accessible Tube maps, step-free tube guide and audio tube maps are available on the Transport for London website
Audible descriptions of a number of stations are available from Describe Online: Terry Robinson 82 Albert Rd, Crosshill, Glasgow, G42 8DR
Telephone: 07771 610 002
Email: terry@describe-online.com
Web:http://www.describe-online.com/
Taking a Taxi from the Station
A taxi is one way to go from the station to your final destination. The Traintaxi Guide lists taxi ranks and operators serving all trains, tram, metro and underground stations in Great Britain.
Web: www.traintaxi.co.uk
Public Transport: Concessions
Disabled Persons Railcard
If you have a disability which makes travelling by train difficult you may be eligible. It allows you to buy discounted rail tickets for yourself and one other adult travelling with you. The Railcard currently costs £20 and is valid for 12 months. A three year card is also available for £54. To be eligible you must fall into one or more of the following categories:
Registered as visually impaired, Registered deaf, Have epilepsy, Receive Attendance Allowance, Receive Disability Living Allowance (higher or lower rate mobility component OR middle / higher rate care), Receive Severe Disablement Allowance, Receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement, Receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability, Are buying or leasing a vehicle through the ‘Motability’ scheme.
Email: disability@atoc.org
Telephone: 0345 605 0525 (7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday)
Minicom/Textphone: 0345 601 0132
Web: http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
Send a letter to
Disabled Persons Railcard Office, PO Box 6613, Arbroath, DD11 9AN
Or download from: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
Disability Freedom Pass
Some disabled people can get free travel on London’s buses, underground and over-ground rail services throughout Greater London. For further information contact Merton Council:
Freedom Passes for adults:
Disabled Freedom Pass Administrator, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX
Telephone: 020 8274 4901
Freedom Passes for children:
Children's Freedom Pass Administrator, Children with Disabilities, 8th Floor, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5LT
Email: polyclinicservice.support@merton.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8545 4200
Or download the form and return it -
http://www.merton.gov.uk/disabled_freedom_pass_application_form.pdf
You may be eligible for a Freedom Pass from Merton Council if you are an adult or a child, resident in the London Borough of Merton and you: are blind or partially sighted, are profoundly or severely deaf, are without the use of both arms, are without speech, have a learning disability, have a physical impairment, which is enduring and substantial and has a significant effect on your mobility, have a medical condition (such as epilepsy) which impacts upon your ability to drive
Door to door accessible transport support and services
Dial-a-Ride
This is an accessible minibus, which takes individuals where they want to go in the borough. You need to be a member.
You must have a permanent or long-term disability which means you are unable to use public transport some or all of the time. You automatically qualifying if you have or are: Taxicard membership, Receipt of DLA higher rate mobility component or war pension mobility supplement, Receipt of higher rate AA, Registered blind or partially sighted, Over 85
Address: PO Box 68799 London SE1P 4RD
Email: DAR@tfl.gov.uk
Telephone: 0343 222 7777
Fax: 020 7394 5218
Web: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/dial-a-ride/
Merton Community Transport
Merton Community Transport (MCT) is a local charity providing innovative, flexible and accessible transport solutions to affiliated organisations and individuals in Merton and surrounding districts.
Wandle Valley Resource Centre, Church Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 3BE
Email: info@mct.uk.com
Telephone: 020 8648 1001 [Enquiry]/020 8648 7727 [Booking]
Taxi card
The London Taxicard Scheme provides door-to-door transport for people who have serious mobility impairment lasting more than 12 months and have difficulty using public transport.
Users may take up to104 trips per year depending on individual circunstances at a subsidised rate.
Download an application form: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/node/25695
and return it to the address below:
London Councils, Taxicard, 59½ Southwark Street, London, SE1 0AL
Telephone: 0207 934 9791
Fax: 0207 934 9591
Email: taxicard@londoncouncils.gov.uk
Web: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard/apply-taxicard-your-borough#24
Cars and Motoring
The Blue Badge Scheme – Disabled Person’s Parking Badge
If you have permanent and severe walking difficulties, the Blue Badge Scheme allows you to park close to places you wish to visit in the UK and in Europe. The current charge for a badge is £10.00 (payable by cheque or postal order only), which is valid for three years.
Contact
Concessionary Travel, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX
Telephone: 020 8274 4990
Email: concessionarytravel@merton.gov.uk
Criteria for issue
This badge can only be issued if one of the following criteria is met:
- You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance.
- You receive a Personal Independence Payment scoring 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component.
- You use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department
- You are registered blind.
- You have a severe disability in both upper limbs, regularly drive a motor vehicle but cannot turn the steering wheel of a motor vehicle by hand even if that wheel is fitted with a turning knob.
- You have a permanent and substantial disability which means you are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking. In this case you may be asked to answer a series of questions to help us determine whether you are eligible for a badge. People with a psychological disorder will not normally qualify unless their impairment causes very considerable, and not intermittent, difficulty in walking
Disabled parking bays
If you are a Blue Badge holder with no usable off-street parking space and have difficulty in parking on the street near your home, we may be able to provide a disabled parking bay near your house. However, owning a Blue Badge does not mean that a bay will be provided automatically.
Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, SM4 5DX
Email: trafficandhighways@merton.gov.uk
Road Tax (VED) Exemption
Exempt for those getting higher rate DLA or enhanced rate PIP mobility allowances.
For more information - https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-exempt-from-vehicle-tax
You claim the exemption when you apply for vehicle tax. You can do this online, by phone, by post or at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax.
You can also apply for a reduction - https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vehicles-and-transport
Disabled Motoring UK
The charity for disabled drivers, passengers & Blue Badge holders.
National Headquarters, Ashwellthorpe, Norwich, NR16 1EX
Telephone: 01508 489 449
Email: info@disabledmotoring.org
Congestion Charging in Central London
Those whose cars are exempt from road tax are automatically exempt from congestion charges. Other Blue Badge holders can obtain exemption by paying a £10 registration fee, even if they don't own a vehicle or drive. You can register up to two vehicles that you would normally use to travel within the charging zone. This could be your own vehicle, or one you travel in.
To download a form:
www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/blue-badge-discount-registration-form.pdf
Congestion Charge, PO Box 4782, Worthing BN11 9PS
Web: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge/contact-congestion-charge
NHS Reimbursement Scheme
If you have to have regular treatment in the congestion charge area and are not able to use public transport, you may be able to pay the charge and arrange reimbursement through the hospital.
General enquiries:
Telehone: 0343 222 2222
Textphone: 020 7649 9123
Fax: 020 7649 9121
Motability
Motability is a registered charity, which offers different schemes to help you obtain a vehicle. If you get the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) this scheme can help you buy or lease a car, wheelchair or electric scooter.
For more details contact:
Motability Operations, City Gate House, 22 Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HB
Telephone: 0300 456 4566
8am-7pm Monday to Friday
9am-1pm Saturday
Monday 9am-11am is our busiest period. You may find it easier to call outside these times.
Minicom: 0845 675 0009
Web: www.motability.co.uk
Forum of Mobility Centres
A network of independent organisations which offer information, advice and assessment to individuals who have a medical condition or injury or which may affect their ability to drive.
Telephone: 0800 559 3636
Email: info@cornwallmobility.co.uk
Web: http://www.mobility-centres.org.uk/
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre
1 Metcalfe Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 4AW
Telephone: 020 8770 1151
Fax: 020 8770 1211
Email: mobility@qef.org.uk
Web: http://qef.org.uk/our-services/mobility-services/
Shopmobility
A centre which will let you have a wheelchair to go round the shops. Electric wheelchairs, electric scooters and manual wheelchairs are all available.
Avaliable in: Sutton (St Nicholas Centre) and Epsom (Ashley Centre)
The National Federation of Shopmobility, 2-4 Meadow Close Ise Valley Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, NN8 4BH
Telephone: 01933 229644
Email: shopmobility@bhta.com
Web: http://nfsuk.org/
Information and Guidance
Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
Provides information and advice on aids and equipment.
Helpline: 0300 999 0004
Opening time: 10am - 4pm, Mon-Fri
Switchboard: 020 7289 6111
Opening time: 9am - 5pm, Mon-Fri
Web: www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk
Rica(formerly Ricability)
Rica is an independent consumer research charity providing reports on all kinds of equipmentfor older and disabled people.
G03, The Wenlock. 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU
Telephone: 020 7427 2460
Email: mail@rica.org.uk
Aids for Daily Living
British Red Cross
Provides wheelchair/equiptment aids hire.
Telephone: 0845 127 2911
Web: http://www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Independent-living/Mobility-aids
Whizzkids
Provides disabled children with the essential wheelchairs and other mobility equipment they need to lead fun and active childhoods.
Whizz-Kidz, 4th floor, Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BH
Telephone: 020 7233 6600
Also, your local independent pharmacy mayable to order aids and equipment for you from a health company catalogue.
NHS Wheelchairs
Both manual and powered chairs for long term use are available on loan from the NHS. Your GP will refer you to:
Wheelchair Service
Merton and Sutton Wheelchair Service
Queen Marys Hospital Site, 171 Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PN
0208 487 6084
caroline.stanfield@stgeorges.nhs.uk
If you want to buy a special chair costing more than the standard issue, you can get a NHS Voucher covering the cost of a standard chair to help with the purchase price.
Buying Wheelchairs or Scooters
Stable and Able
24 London Road, Morden, Merton, SM4 5BQ
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8640 8881
Web: http://www.stableandable.co.uk
Disabiliy Aids
75 Stonecot Hill, Sutton SM3 9HJ
Telephone:020 8644 8465
Web: http://www.thedisabilitystore.co.uk/
Hiring Wheelchairs and Scooters
Most of the above have wheelchairs (but not scooters) for hire. In addition, there are companies which hire both wheelchairs and scooters:
Direct Mobility Hire
Warren House, 201a Bury Street, Edmonton, London N9 9JE
Freephone: 0800 092 9322
Telephone:020 8370 7888
Freephone: 0800 092 9322
Fax: 020 8370 7887
Email: info@directmobility.co.uk
Wheelfreedom Ltd
Freephone: 0800 025 8005
Email: enquiries@wheelfreedom.com
Web: www.wheelfreedom.com
Equipment Insurance
The website www.wheelchairusers.org.uk has information on insurance, and other wheelchair-related topics.
Fish Insurance Services
12 Sceptre Court, Sceptre Way, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6AW
Telephone: 0333 331 3840
Email: admin@fishinsurance.co.uk
Buying & Selling Second Hand Equipment
Richmond AID
Produce a free newsletter four times a year and accept adverts for second hand equipment free of charge.
Kingston Centre for Independent Living (KCIL)
River Reach, 31-35 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1LF
Tel: 020 8546 9603
Web: www.kcil.org.uk
Sutton Centre for Independent Living and Learning
3 Robin Hood Ln, Sutton, Surrey SM1 2SW
Telephone:020 8770 4065
National Contacts:
The Disability Equipment Register
Telephone: 01454 318818
Email: disabreg@blueyonder.co.uk
Web: www.disabreg.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
An internet-based service, updated daily, with details of equipment for sale. There is a charge to advertise equipment for sale, but not for buying.
Disabled Living Foundation (DLF)
Provides information and advice on aids and equipment.
Helpline: 0300 999 0004
Opening time: 10am - 4pm, Mon-Fri
Switchboard: 020 7289 6111
Opening time: 9am - 5pm, Mon-Fri
Web: www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk
Disability Now
6-10 Market Road, London, N7 9PW
Telephone: 020 7619 7760
Email: editor@disabilitynow.org.uk
Monthly online magazine with a small advert section for which there is a charge. It also has an online advertising section, updated every day.
Exchange & Mart
Has a section for disability equipment in its small advertisements online and in paper.
Exchange Enterprises, Newsquest Media, Richmond Hill
Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6HH
Email: customersupport@exchangeandmart.co.uk
Web: www.exchangeandmart.co.uk
Other Information
VAT Relief
Aids, equipment and services specially designed for disabled people are “zero rated”; you will have to sign a VAT exemption form and state your disability. Some mobility aids for older people qualify for a reduced rate of VAT.
Contact the supplier and follow this link for more information - https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vat-relief
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