Using public transport when you have a disability can be stressful, but there are various schemes in place to enable disabled people to travel comfortably.
Most public transport has assigned disabled seating and wheelchair spaces that you have legal priority to use above people who do not have a disability. You may also be eligible for any of the following.
Assistance with public transport
It is your legal right to have assistance to board or depart public transport. Buses have areas just for wheelchairs and flip down ramps but can usually only accommodate one wheelchair at a time. You can order taxis specially designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and if you are able to get out of it, most taxi drivers are happy to help you sit down then put your chair in the boot for you.
For a train, plane or boat, you should let the transport company know in advance if you require assistance. This is so that they can ensure that somebody is ready and waiting, and that they will definitely be able to accommodate your wheelchair if you have one. Airlines ask for at least 48 hours’ notice.
Assistance dogs on public transport
Guide dogs or other assistance dogs are allowed on all forms of public transport by law, but there are limits. For health and safety reasons, there may only be one or two dogs allowed in one vehicle, or a taxi company might only have a few drivers who are happy to accept a dog. On the London Underground, you can take your dog but you must carry it on the escalator. This is because the ridges on escalator steps can damage your dog’s paws.
Always let the transport company know in advance that you wish to bring an assistance dog so that they can accommodate it. It is an offence to turn somebody with a disability away completely because they have an assistance dog.
Whilst on public transport, it is your responsibility to keep control of your dog and clean up after it.
Bus pass
You may be eligible for a disabled person’s bus pass that allows you unlimited free or discounted off-peak travel on most bus services. You will likely be eligible if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- You receive the higher rate of the mobility component or care component of Disability Living Allowance
- You receive Attendance Allowance
- You receive Personal Independence Payment
- You have a Blue Badge for disabled parking
- You live in a care home
- You are deaf or blind
- You’re not allowed to drive for medical reasons
- You have a learning disability and need a carer or support worker to travel with you
- You’ve lost or been born without one or more limbs
- You are a war veteran or former military service personnel who has lasting injuries from your time in service
- You are over a certain age, regardless of your mobility. These are:
- England: 65 years old
- Scotland: 60 years old
- Wales: 60 years old
- Northern Ireland: 60-64 for a SmartPass, 65 and over for a Senior SmartPass
Each application is viewed individually by your local council so if you have mobility difficulties, it’s worth applying even if you’re not sure you meet eligibility criteria. You will need to provide evidence such as a doctor’s letter. You must be a resident in the country you are applying for a pass in.
To apply for a disabled person’s bus pass in England, click here.
To apply for a National Entitlement Card in Scotland, click here.
To apply for a Disabled Concessionary Travel Card or 60 and Over Card in Wales, click here.
Northern Ireland has a range of SmartPass cards available, depending on your condition. To apply for a SmartPass for your disability or if you meet the age criteria, click here.
Railcards
If you meet any of the criteria above, you can also apply for a Disabled Persons Railcard or a Senior Railcard. These give one third of the price of your rail fare on off-peak trains and advance bookings in standard or first class. They do cost money, but you will save far more money by having one than the amount you have spent on it.
You can get a railcard as a physical card or as an app on your smartphone. To buy it as an app, simply search on your app store and download the app. To have a physical card posted to you, see below.
To buy a Disabled Persons Railcard in England, Wales or Scotland, click here.
To buy a Senior Railcard in England, Wales or Scotland, click here.
In Northern Ireland, you can use the same SmartPass that you use for bus travel to travel by train. Veterans, blind people and people over 60 can travel by train for free, while people with other eligible disabilities can have a 50% discount on the rail ticket.
Railway staff have the right to ask to see your railcard, so it’s important to take it with you when travelling. If you are travelling with a discounted ticket but haven’t brought your railcard, they may make you buy a new ticket at full price.
‘Please offer me a seat’ badge
In London, you can apply for a free badge or card that says ‘Please offer me a seat’. It is for people who struggle to stand for long periods, to enable them to travel comfortably on often overcrowded public transport in London.
You can apply for this badge if you live in Greater London or the South East of England.
To apply for a badge, click here.
The Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme is for people who receive one of the following:
- The enhanced rate of the mobility component for Personal Independence Payment
- The higher rate component of Disability Living Allowance
- War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment
The scheme allows you to use your allowance to lease a car, a car with adaptations, a wheelchair accessible vehicle, a mobility scooter or a powered wheelchair. The vehicle must be used for the disabled person’s benefit but you do not need to be in it on every journey. For example, a named person on your insurance could use it to run errands for you. This scheme is a great option for holidays and outings.
To join the scheme, click here.