Buses Bus Passes Community Transport Taxis Voluntary Car Schemes Hospital Transport
Driving (inc. Blue Badge and Motability
Rail Travel Travelling
across London Air Travel Access
The ability to
get around is fundamental to independent living. In and around
The Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 gave the Government powers to set minimum access
standards for public service vehicles. Such regulations have been provided for
trains but are awaited for buses, coaches and taxis.
Traveline
Telephone:
0871 200 2233 Web: www.traveline.org.uk or www.travelineeastanglia.co.uk
Traveline is a partnership of transport
operators and local authorities formed to provide impartial and comprehensive
information about public transport. It operates in
It is a
requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act that all new buses should
be accessible to disabled passengers. An increasing number of operators are now
using newer more accessible vehicles. Many local bus services frequently use
low floor buses for improved accessibility, designated seating for disabled
passengers and a space provided for wheelchair storage. Other buses without low
floors are not wheelchair accessible, but may incorporate design features to
help with disabled access.
National
Express Disabled Persons
Telephone:
08717 818179 Textphone: 0121 455 0086
Calls to 0871 numbers cost
a maximum of 10p per minute from a landline. Costs may vary for calls from
mobile telephones.
Telephone:
01480 453159
Web: www.huntsbus.co.uk E-mail: enquiries@huntsbus.co.uk
Go Whippet
Telephone:
01480 463792
Web: www.go-whippet.co.uk
Stagecoach in
Web: www.stagecoachbus.com/peterborough
E-mail: peterborough.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com
For timetable enquiries use the website or
call Traveline on 0871 200 2233. If you are unable to
find the information you require then telephone: 01733 554575
Stagecoach in
Web: www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge
E-mail: cambridge.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com
For timetable
enquiries use the website or call Traveline on 0871
200 2233. If you are unable to find the information you require then telephone:
01223 423578
Telephone:
0845 045 0675
A dedicated Passenger Enquiry Line open during office hours.
Local Bus Service Timetable
Timetables are
displayed at most bus stops and bus stations and copies can be obtained form
post offices, libraries, bus stations and tourist information offices. They are
also available to download form the ‘Bus Services’ link on the
County Council website:
Disabled
people and those of pension age are entitled to a free bus pass which provides a
discount of at least 50% on all local bus fares starting and ending in
Cambridgeshire. To check eligibility or obtain an application form contact your
district council. Forms are also available from Post Offices or can be
downloaded from the council’s website.
The new National Concessionary Bus Fares Scheme
is due to start on 1st April 2008. People aged 60 and over and disabled people in
England will be able to get free off-peak travel on all local buses anywhere in
England. This scheme was announced in the 2006 Budget by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer and will replace the existing local schemes.
The new scheme will allow free bus travel for those
eligible from 9.30am until 11pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank
holidays, across England. It will not be possible to use a pass before 9.30 in
the morning on weekdays. To get a new pass, you will need to fill in a new
application form.
Telephone:
01480 388388 Web: www.huntsdc.gov.uk/Transport+and+Roads
This is a
scheduled, accessible, door-to-door minibus service, which will collect you
from your door and take you into the town centre or other selected shopping centres. They will deliver you back to your door and even
help you to carry your shopping from their bus. The cost is comparable to the
normal bus fares; members holding senior citizen bus passes or who are
registered as visually impaired will be entitled to concessionary rates.
They also do
Group Hire and occasional Excursions.
Telephone: - 01480 411114 or 01832 733336
E-mail: - ovdar@yahoo.co.uk
Ramsey & District Community Bus operate an independant scheme within
Ramsey, Bury, Warboys and surrounding area. For further details phone
(01487) 815543
There are only
a few local taxi companies that are able to convey passengers in their
wheelchairs. When booking with these firms please check the availability of
accessible taxis as these are few in number.
Anglian
Taxis
Telephone:
01480 475222
Cheap Wheels (now owned by Anglian Taxis)
Telephone: -
01480 473279
Bettacars (now merged with ABC Citilink )
Telephone:
01733 777888
A2B Euro Cars
Telephone:
01733 566666
01733 569999
Tel: 01480
457576
Tel: 01223
704704 Web: www.camcab.co.uk
Regency
Tel: 01223
311388
Volunteer Bureaux Social Car Schemes are operated by each local
Volunteer Bureau through a pool of volunteer drivers.
Telephone:
01480 414766
Ramsey, Warboys & District Volunteer Bureau
Telephone:
01487 814117
St Neots Volunteer Bureau
Telephone:
01480 476047
St Ives
Volunteer Bureau
Telephone:
01480 301462
Arrangement
for patient transport to and from hospital appointments is through your GP or
outpatient Clinic. There are strict eligibility criteria for this transport and
ambulance services will not consider direct requests from patients. If
approved, transport will be by ambulance or hospital driver scheme. If you are
on low income your cost of travel to hospital for treatment may be reimbursed
at public transport rates. Leaflet H11 outlines those who are eligible or enquire
at the Hospital General Office. Proof such as benefit documents will be needed
to claim.
Some
GPs’ surgeries operate this scheme for those unable to get to and from
appointments because of frailty or disablement. Surgeries at Alconbury,
DISH can
advise on voluntary and commercial organisations
having wheelchair accessible minibuses or coaches.
The Howard Centre,
Bedford
Tel: 01234
348000
Tel. 01223
457452
Grafton
Centre,
Tel: 01223
461858
Queensgate
Centre,
Tel: 01733
313133
Princess
Street Car Park,
Tel: 01480
432793
The Shopmobility services provide a free manual or electric
wheelchair and scooter loan service for disabled shoppers. To make sure a
suitable mobility aid is available for your needs, telephone the Centre in
advance. An escort service is available for those requiring it.
Blue Badge Scheme
Telephone 0845
045 5204
Parking concessions to drivers and passengers with severe mobility
problems. The
badge may be displayed in any vehicle the badge holder uses. DISH can advise
and provide leaflets.
A pass is
available for disabled drivers from: -
Midland
Expressway Ltd.
Freepost NAT
9069
Litchfield
WS14 0BR
For an
application form -
Telephone -
0870 850 6262 (select Option 2) Mon.-Fri. 830-5pm
Anyone awarded
the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (or
war pensioners mobility supplement) should automatically have been sent a
Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) exemption form by the DSS.
If you need
adaptations made to your vehicle or other equipment it may be possible to claim
VAT relief on the work required. DISH can advise on this.
Telephone: -
0845 456 4566 (Motability Car Scheme) 01279 635999
(General
www.motability.co.uk E-mail: Use the website general
enquiry form
Motability
assists disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter through
contract hire or hire purchase schemes. Some funds are available to help
towards costs of major adaptions or driving lessons. Anyone receiving the higher rate of the mobility component
of Disability Living Allowance or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, and
with at least 12 months award length remaining, may apply. Parents or carers can also apply on behalf of a child aged three or
older. Most car main dealers have a Motability
specialist who will advise.
Thetford
IP24 3RL
Fax 01842
755950
Telephone:
01842 753029
Email:mail@kmacmobil.org.uk
The East Anglian Centre for advice and assessment for disabled people who wish to drive, be a passenger or use outdoor
electrically powered vehicles. Provides a free information
service, as well as specific advice on adaptations, transport and mobility.
Also offers Transfer Assessments on a rota basis.
Call for details.
The Department for Transport’s own Mobility Centre, the
The Forum of Mobility
Centres
c/o
Warehorne
Ashford
TN26 2JX
Telephone: 0800
559 3636
Web: www.mobility-centre.org.uk E-mail: mobility@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk
The Forum of Mobility Centres is a network of seventeen independent
organisations covering
Door-to-Door
Web: www.dptac.gov.uk/door-to-door/index.htm
A website
produced for the 'Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee' (DPTAC). The
information was originally provided by 'Tripscope' a
registered charity established in 1987, which was the UK's main travel advice
and transport information service for disabled people until lack of funding forced
it to close in March 2006. Following closure of the charity, arrangements have
been made by DPTAC to ensure the information contained in the website continues
to be regularly updated.
Wheelchair Travel Ltd.
Telephone:
01483 233640
Website: www.wheelchair-travel.co.uk E-mail: info@wheelchair-travel.co.uk
Rents out cars
and vans adapted to carry or be driven by a disabled person. It operates a taxi
service for disabled people having to travel long distances.
Telephone:
01992 715544
Website: www.wheelsltd.com
Wheels offer
vehicles that can carry up to 6 wheelchair users as passengers and can be
rented by the day, week or month.
National
Association for Bikers with a Disability NABD
N.A.B.D. Unit
20 The
Website: www.nabd.org.uk E-mail: nabd@nabd.org.uk
Telephone:
01508 489449 Web: www.mobilise.info E-mail: enquiries@mobilise.info
Telephone:
0191 416 3172
Fax: 0191 416
3172
A major
motoring organisation offering specialised
information for disabled people.
National Railway Disabled Persons
Tel: 08457
226688
National Rail
Telephone:
08457 48 49 50
Textphone:
0845 60 50 600
First Capital Connect
Disabled
helpline: 0800 058 2844
Textphone:
0800 975 1052
Customer
Relations Telephone: 0845 026 4700
Website: www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk
When help is required at a Station try to give 48 hours notice.
National railcards offer discounts on many tickets
Disabled Person’s Railcard Office,
PO Box 163,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
NE12 8WX
Website: www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk E-mail: disability@atoc.org
A £18.00 card
entitles the holder and a travelling companion to a
33% discount off most Standard Class and First Class National Rail fares. Requires proof of
eligibility. Write or telephone for application form, ask at a station
or download via the website.
Senior Citizens Railcard
This costs £24
and gives a 33% discount on most fares.
Application
forms for these can be obtained from any station or downloaded from www.railcard.co.uk.
Chiltern Railways can help arrange for assistance at stations
and on the journey; 24hrs notice needed.
Telephone 08456 005 165 (0700hrs to 2000hrs). Textphone:
0845 60 50 600
Web: www.chilternrailways.co.uk
Transport for
Many
Air transport
Users Council
Telephone: 020
72406061 Advice Line Mon-Thur
Website: www.auc.org.uk
Provides a
leaflet “Flight Plan”- for disabled passengers.
You should
state your needs when booking your flight ticket and confirm them in contracts
with airlines or travel agencies. Individual airports provide information
leaflets for disabled air travellers.
DISH (Disability
Telephone:
01480 830833
Email- info@dish.org.uk
Can advise on access to many local public facilities.
Pathfinder
House
PE29 3TN
Telephone:
01480 388388
For particular
problems with access ask to speak to the Council’s Access Officer.
Membership Secretary, HCODP, 15 Cotton Court,
Tel: 0796 871 1621 or leave a message via
Web: www.hcodp.org.uk Email: huntingdon.coalition@ntlworld.com
or info@hcodp.org.uk
The Coalition
campaigns to improve access for the disabled in