Hi All,
Will be travelling from Leeds to Kings Cross …I understand you can book assitance for help on and off the train (am a wheelchair user).
I will be booking my ticket on line…do you get the option to book assistance at this point or do you just call the company just before the trip? Have someone meeting me at Kings Cross.
Thanks
A wheelchair user on a train virgin
Hi, I’m not much help really as I’ve never travelled by train using a wheelchair. However this story might reassure you, a family friend, an 88 year old lady recently had to travel from Aberdeen to London and back by train. She was on her own. She doesn’t have ms but at 88 is a bit slow on her feet. She arranged to be met in Aberdeen and London with a wheelchair and was helped onto th train and off again at the other end. She was checked on upon the journey. She highly praised the attention she received, she said they couldn’t do enough to help her and nothing was too much bother. Cheryl:-)
Hi
Yes I travel quite often down to London on East Coast Trains and book assisted travel with a ramp at all stations - you have to arrive 20 minutes before the train departs to make sure everything is ready for you. You need to ring up for assisted travel 0845 722 54444 and they will book the wheelchair space and ticket for you - book in advance for the best price. You can get the ticket delivered by post or pick it up at the station. I had one difficult journey with them a couple of years ago, and made a complaint and they handled it really well and since then the service has always been pretty good. Once on the train make sure you inform the train attendant about which stop you want to get off at as there is no other way to call for help when you want to get off. I’m a wheelchair user but take a walking stick with me so when the door opens at my stop I stick it through the open door so it can’t close and the train can’t leave the station until it gets me off. The train assistant will also help you get a tea or coffee (the toilets are wheelchair accessible - except in first class).
Hope this helps.
Have a good journey, Mary
Hi
I’ve done it a couple times from Sheffield to Kings Cross. As Mary said, you need to phone them up to book your ticket and the assistance. I have to make myself known at the reception/enquiries bit 20 minutes before departure, and there’ll be someone on hand to put the ramp in place to get on the train. The only problem I’ve had is that people tend to use the wheelchair space to put their luggage, so there can be a delay while the staff get everyone to move their stuff. Other than that, it’s always been pretty straight forward.
Hope it goes well.
Dan
I have booked assistance through the line quoted in an earlier post and showed the email confirmation to the Manager of the train, but I was not allowed to reach my end station on my return journey. (no problems outward bound)
He said that the station was not manned after 8pm so he would be putting me off at the nearest manned station and had arranged a taxi for the rest of my journey. I had an able bodied person accompanying me, but despite this, our protests fell on deaf ears!
(this was South West Cross Country)
Hi Mary, thankyou for your e-cards.
Just wonder if you can clarify something from your reply re train assistance, please?
you said toilets are wheelchair accessible - except in 1st class. Did you mean that, as I would`ve thought it was only 1st class, if anything.
Cheers hun.
luv Pollx
Hi Mary, thankyou for your e-cards.
Just wonder if you can clarify something from your reply re train assistance, please?
you said toilets are wheelchair accessible - except in 1st class. Did you mean that, as I would`ve thought it was only 1st class, if anything.
Cheers hun.
luv Pollx
Hi Poll,
No in 1st class on East Coast Trains the toilets are not accessible for wheelchair users - so you can be served a drink (free) but not get to a loo. In 2nd class you can’t get a drink (unless the train assistant helps) but you can access the loo.
Perhaps they think people with disabilities who use a wheelchair can afford 1st class!
Hope all is well,
Love, Mary
Sorry Poll
That was supposed to say:
Perhaps they think people with disabilities who use a wheelchair can’t afford 1st class!
Mary xxx
Hi, Ive only travelled short distances on the train.
ie halifax to Leeds and Delamere to Chester.
I did book assistance on the Hx to Leeds trips. But not on the Chester run.
But in all cases, the staff couldn`t have been more helpful.
I do think it best to book all journeys where assistance is required.
The staff put ramps in place and guide you up and down, in your wheelie. Then they ensure you are in your safe place.
In a service industry where complaints are many, they do appreciate a thankyou from a satisfied customer!
Their wonderful help made my trips all the more enjoyable and encouraged me to make future trips.
Hope your`s is as good.
luv Pollx
Great, thanks for all your replies, v helpful!!
Hi
East Coast usually has wheelchair accessible carriages in both Standard (F) and First Class (L) on both electric and diesel trains.
Hope that helps.
Nick