Mobility issues

dwbmar48 · 09-02-2012, 07:49

Further to discussions in Intro Forum. Does anyone in here have any advice of a general nature regarding getting around as a disabled person - for example, how disabled friendly are buses and trains. Most taxi drivers seem very helpful. In the last few days I have trundled my scooter from Huncoat to Accrington Centre and back a couple of times..... and nearly froze to death (but can't afford taxis everywhere).

garinda · 09-02-2012, 08:07

There was an Accy Web member, sadly no longer with us, who used to get the train up from London, to her other home up here, quite regularly. She used to bring her scoooter up on the train, and seemed happy with the service, and help she was given.

Don't really know about how accessible the buses are, hopefully someone else will.

Do you want to take a chair, or scooter, on the bus?

Mick · 09-02-2012, 08:33

Most of the bigger buses can and do accommodate wheelchairs kneeling buses they are called i think and if you go to the library you can apply for a free bus pass (disabled bus pass)

Gremlin · 09-02-2012, 08:59

The biggest problem my wife finds with her scooter is people parking on footpaths and not allowing enough room to get through or parking along side a drop kerb.

I drove along Blackburn road last night and cars and taxis were parked on the footpath alongside the kebab shop with no chance of a scooter getting by.
Underneath the railway bridge nr the town centre cars were parked by the barbers, again blocking the footpath for scooters.

Margaret Pilkington · 09-02-2012, 10:56

Many of the buses have ramps which will accommodate a wheelchair, and although I cannot vouch for the service in the local area, I have taken my Ma(who is wheelchair bound) on buses all over the country. I have found the bus drivers friendly, helpful and cheery. Maybe this has something to do with Ma's cheery attitude too.

AccyMad · 09-02-2012, 14:08

Haven't had any problems with the local buses when taking any of our residents on them in their wheelchairs but on the trains we have been told to ring the day before we want to travel with details of times etc., so that they are aware that the ramp will be needed - doesn't seem fair that just because someone happens to be disabled they can't decide on the spur of the moment to travel to where they want to by train as the ramps are always on the trains anyway.