Publications:
Handy Travel Hints for Disabled People and Persons with Reduced Mobility

1: Air Travel in the United Kingdom and Europe
2: Tube, Rail and Tram
3: Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
4: Personal Mobility Scooters on Public Transport
5: Hints for Disabled Tourists Around England and London

Who we are
The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is an independent body established by the Transport Act 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of disabled people.

Our aim
DPTAC's aim is that disabled people should have the same access to transport as everybody else. We want this to happen by 2020.

Our members
DPTAC consists of up to 21 members representing a wide cross-section of disabled people with experience of key transport and pan-disability issues. DPTAC includes representatives from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Chair and members are appointed by Ministers and serve for three years.

The DPTAC Secretariat is based within the Department for Transport.

Our role
Our role is to advise Government and industry by presenting a pan-disability view on the impacts of transport legislation, regulation, guidance and policy.

DPTAC has a statutory duty to consider any matter referred to it by Transport Ministers, but it also gives advice on any other issue relevant to the transport needs of disabled people.

1: Air Travel in the United Kingdom and Europe

  • Under European Law, if you are disabled or have difficulty moving around, you can pre-book to receive assistance when you fly to and from Europe, including the United Kingdom (UK).
  • It is advised that you ask for assistance at least 48 hours in advance to be sure of getting it.
  • Airports will provide special assistance to get you to and from your flight free of charge, including checking in and getting through security, providing accessible flight information, reaching connecting flights and getting to the next part of your onward journey.
  • All major airports in the UK have help points when arriving or departing, including at train stations, car parks, taxi ranks and bus stops.
  • All front line staff should have Disability and Equality Awareness Training to ensure a smoother journey for you.
  • Airport and airline staff may help you get to the toilet; however, they are not required to provide personal assistance in bathrooms.
  • Assistance dogs are permitted on the flight free of charge, subject to Pet Passport Regulations. For the UK please refer to Defra at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/index.htm.
  • You are permitted to check two items of large mobility equipment free of charge (e.g. electric wheelchair and manual wheelchair).
  • Wheelchair users may be able to stay in their own chair to the departure gate, depending on the impact of your disability and whether the chair can be loaded from the gate.
  • You will generally be the first person boarded on the plane and the last person to leave the plane, unless you request otherwise.

Some useful sources of information

DPTAC has a travel guide for disabled people, Door to Door.

DPTAC:
Telephone: 020 7944 8011
Fax: 020 7944 6998
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a useful guide document, Your rights to fly, what you need to know - a step by step guide for disabled and less mobile passengers.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline - England:
Telephone: 08456 046 610
Textphone: 08456 046 620
Fax: 08456 046 630

2: Tube, Rail and Tram

Who do I contact for Tube, Rail and Tram Services?

  • Transport for London (TfL) www.tfl.gov.uk controls the majority of public transport in London, including the Underground (Tube) and Trams (DLR).
  • Information on tram services outside of London can be obtained from the relevant local authorities, which can be found via the Directgov website www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/index.htm.
  • The Overground Rail Network (National Rail) is separate from TfL. It is made up of a number of private companies/ franchises referred to as Train Operating Companies (TOCs), which can be identified on the National Rail website ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/en/s/landing/home.

Tube

  • Enter your departure and arrivals destinations into the Journey Planner at the TfL website.
  • Be sure to select your mobility requirements in the 'more options' section of the search.
  • Check your journey with the Step-free tube guide: a map that shows stations where you can get between the platform and the street step-free, or change between lines step-free. It is planned that approximately 25% of the Tube network will be step-free by 2012.
  • At the station you can ask a member of staff to help you get onto the platform, and if necessary onto the train and help you find a seat. Staff will call ahead to ensure assistance is waiting for you at your arrival destination.
  • TfL also has a range of other useful guides for people with disabilities, including toilet maps, assisted transport services, a dial a ride (community transport) application form, taxi and private hire guide, and your guide to fares and tickets in zones 1-6.

Rail (Overland)

Trams

Assistance service on Tube, Rail and Tram

  • Front line customer service staff on the majority of public transport modes, including trains, buses and trams, should have disability equality and awareness training to help you with your journey.

Some useful sources of information

DPTAC has a travel guide for disabled people, Door to Door.

DPTAC:
Telephone: 020 7944 8011
Fax: 020 7944 6998
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

3: Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

  • For many disabled people, especially those who are unable to drive or use conventional public transport, hackney carriage (licensed taxis), and private hire vehicles (mini cabs) are a very important means of getting around. Both can be booked in advance for a door-to-door service, but there is a fundamental difference between the two, in that only licensed taxis (London's Black Cabs) are permitted to stand on taxi ranks waiting for customers, and can also pick up in the street after being waved down. (Terminology differs in Ireland, whereby the term 'hackney' refers to a service which can only be pre booked, similar to private hire vehicles in Britain).
  • All licensed taxis in London (Black Cabs) are wheelchair accessible. The telephone number for booking a taxi is 0871 871 8710.
  • All other major cities associated with the Olympics have wheelchair accessible taxis. The Glasgow and Manchester hackney carriage fleet is accessible. Over half of the Newcastle, Birmingham and Cardiff hackney carriage fleet is accessible, and there are some accessible hackney carriage vehicles in Weymouth.
  • There are some private hire vehicles that are wheelchair accessible, however, it is at the discretion of the operator and is also dependant on the model/ capacity of vehicle. Please call the operator direct to see if they have accessible vehicles.
  • If you are visually impaired the Royal National Institute for the Blind can supply a taxi sign to help you with hailing one down - www.rnib.org.uk.
  • Taxis are required to carry your Assistance Dog free of charge. The dog must be allowed to stay with the owner.
  • Carriage of mobility scooters in taxis and private hire vehicles is subject to drivers discretion based on health and safety considerations.
  • Many local councils/ authorities offer community transport services, which are aimed at people who can not use public transport. e.g. Dial a Rides (generally a mini bus or van)take you from door to door. Visit the respective local authority to find out more - local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/index.jsp?LGSL=272&LGIL=8&ServiceName=Find, or for central London, please visit the Transport for London website www.tfl.gov.uk.
  • Further useful publications include:

Some useful sources of information

DPTAC has a travel guide for disabled people, Door to Door.

DPTAC:
Telephone: 020 7944 8011
Fax: 020 7944 6998
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

4: Personal Mobility Scooters on Public Transport

  • The existing national policy is that Personal Mobility Scooters (PMS or Invalid Carriage) are not suitable for carriage on public transport.
  • It is illegal to carry more than one person on a PMS. The reasoning is such that it balances the needs of PMS users (Invalid Carriages), as well as the needs of other users of the built environment.
  • Some operators, at their own discretion, will permit PMS to travel where possible, but you may find that you are denied carriage for health and safety reasons (including stability concerns) - make sure you check with the operator before you attempt the journey.
  • Where operators are able to carry PMS, they may only be able to do so, if the size of your scooter does not exceed that of the UK reference wheelchair (more than 700mm wide, 1200mm long and sitting height of 1350mm).
  • Light & heavy rail operators may only be able to carry mobility scooters that fall within the size of a reference wheelchair, or which can be dismantled to fit in the luggage racks. To find out if your train is accessible please visit www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/disabled_passengers/scooters.html.
  • Bus and coach operators do not generally allow carriage of mobility scooters. Some should allow carriage of battery powered wheelchairs that fit within the dimensions of the reference wheelchair. To find out more information about buses in London, please visit Transport for London (www.tfl.gov.uk), or for buses outside of London please search Directgov's website to find your local bus service using the journey planner function - www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/BusAndCoachTravel/DG_10036278.
  • Taxis and private hire vehicles - carriage of PMS is subject to drivers discretion based on health and safety considerations.
  • Local Authorities - a number have their own community transport schemes, many of which are aimed at people who can not use public transport. e.g. Dial a Ride (generally a mini bus or van) takes you from door to door and are wheelchair accessible. To see if they can accommodate PMS, please contact them at local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/index.jsp?LGSL=272&LGIL=8&ServiceName=Find.
  • Further useful publications include:

Some useful sources of information

DPTAC has a travel guide for disabled people, Door to Door.

DPTAC:
Telephone: 020 7944 8011
Fax: 020 7944 6998
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk

5: Hints for Disabled Tourists Around England and London

Accessible Beaches

Accessible Hotels

Accessible Car Hire

and if you beak down

  • Various information leaflets are available on journey planning and safety for your driving journey, including handling a break down, following signs, access for all, and maps. Contact the Highways Agency for 'Think Ahead Move Ahead - Your free guide to easier journeys', 'My Way' and 'Your At-A-Glance Guide to Handling a Breakdown' at 08457 50 40 30, www.highways.gov.uk/disability or email at ha_info@highways.gsi.gov.uk.

Blue Badge (Disabled Parking)

  • You can also use the interactive Blue Badge (Disabled Badge) Map online to find parking bays, local council parking rules, Shopmobility centres (hire out wheelchairs and other mobility equipment), accessible beaches and much more across the UK bluebadge.direct.gov.uk/.
  • Those people visiting from Europe can bring their own badge/ permit with them and use it in the UK. Some areas (e.g. Central London) are prohibited so please check with the local council/ authority. For London, contact Transport for London at www.tfl.gov.uk and areas outside of London, a list of local authorities can be viewed at Directgov www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/index.htm.
  • People visiting from outside of Europe - it is at the discretion of each local authority whether or not you are permitted to use your badge, so please check with them in advance.

Visiting London and the UK

  • 'The Rough Guide to Accessing London', was a document created in the European Year of Disabled People (2003). It lists and reviews 50 favourite accessible venues, as voted by disabled people across the UK, including places of interest, entertainment, sports and leisure, eating and drinking, shopping, clubbing and bars. The document is available in various formats from Transport for London at www.tfl.gov.uk, phone 020 7222 1234, textphone 020 7918 3015 or fax 020 7941 4678. The accessibility of some venues may have improved since the publication of the guide.
  • The National Trust welcomes visitors with disabilities to their properties. The Trust protect and open to the public over 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills. Most properties have a good degree of access , to find more details please see the Access Guide 2009 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-visits-essential_info/w-visits-essential_info-disabilities.htm.
  • For information on how to get around London please visit Transport for London on www.tfl.gov.uk. DPTAC also has a range of travel information brochures on various transport modes including information for disabled people travelling to and from the 2012 Olympics, using air travel to/from the UK, taxis and private hire vehicles, and travelling on public transport for people who use personal mobility scooters. Please contact DPTAC or visit the website to access a copy of the documents at dptac.independent.gov.uk. DPTAC also sponsors a website Door-to-Door, a travel guide for disabled people.

Some useful sources of information

DPTAC has a travel guide for disabled people, Door to Door.

DPTAC:
Telephone: 020 7944 8011
Fax: 020 7944 6998
E-mail: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk