Hi, I went to my local train station about a month ago to ask about taking a mobility scooter on a train. I was given a card with a website address and phone number on it and was told I needed a permit, all as i expected.
I tried to find the form online and after a while of searching gave uo and used the phone number. The person I spoke to couldnt help so put me through to another department. That gentleman said “why was I put throught to him? as its not his job”…anyway he did try to help. He couldn’t find how to do it online - so he said he would print the forms off and send them to me in the post - Great…except after 2 weeks they still haddent arrived!
I phoned them again and explained what had happened and the lady said she would print them off again and send them out, but she also told me to allow a couple of days for the forms to reach me, then I would have to send them back and it would take about 5 weeks after that for a permit to be processed and sent to me…my tickets are booked for the end of the month…I thought 2 months was plenty of time.
I was told if I didn’t have a permit it would be up to the individual train station if the would allow me to take a scooter on board…the trouble I have with that is a/ its not certain and b/ if going out i’m allowed to take it, but what happens if the return station wont allow it? what do I do then??
Anyway, the forms came and they were straight forward…you could do most of it over the phone, just upload a photo. But one of the criteria is that the scooter must have an anti-tipping device…mine dosent have that and I cant find one to fit.
I think I will try to hire one when I get there…it has been really stressful and I dont feel like going away now or trying anything new/different. Ive always thought there are ways around every obstruction…but it takes so much energy and thought that i cant be bothered…i feel like going to bed and crying…sorry …sleep deprived!
Rant over