Welcome to Enabled People
information for disabled people in the UK
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Transport - London
On the tube: "You can book help if you need it... but you must be able to carry your own luggage and be fairly self-sufficient - there is no porter service and no buggy to carry you!"
Disabled Londoners are generally very well looked after, with a range of assistance and concessions available. However, there is no "porter" service at tube or bus stations - you must be able to carry your own luggage.
Driving
The national Blue Badge scheme applies in most of London, however three central boroughs have their own alternatives. These are parts of Camden, all of Westminster and City of London. If you use your badge in the usual manner there, you can get a ticket, so do check their websites where you can also check for bays that you CAN use. These three councils operate alternative schemes but these are usually for specific bays for residents and so blue badge parking bays are very limited.
There is a website to help collate the information about blue badge spaces in Central London: Parking for Blue Badges.
In general, London has more areas where you cannot use a blue badge (red routes, no-loading areas) than the rest of the UK, so it is not always easy to park near to your destination. I am in the process of compiling a list of London councils which allow blue badge holders to park for free in residents' permit areas - watch this space!
The further from the centre of London, the easier it will be to find somewhere that you can park with your blue badge. Of course you can always use it in dedicated spaces such as at shopping centres.
The Congestion Charge is waived if you are a Blue Badge holder.
If your car is already registered to be exempt from vehicle tax because of disability, you do not need to register - that car will automatically be exempt from congestion charging with no action needed.
Otherwise, you will need to register in advance (paying a one-off fee) and renew each year. This allows you to specify one vehicle for permanent exclusion from the congestion charge, and other vehicles on a temporary basis for specific dates (for example if you use a hire car).
Transport for London
A Freedom pass is available to disabled Londoners. This is effectively a free Zone 1-6 pass and can be used at all times on tubes, buses, trams and Docklands Light Railway, and after 9.30am on rail services. They are issued by your local council. Eligibility requirements are described as being
- blind or partially sighted
- profoundly or severely deaf
- without speech
- having a disability, or has suffered an injury , which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to walk
- does not have arms or has long-term loss of the use of both arms
- has a learning disability, that is, a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
- would, if he applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, have his application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol.
You only have to meet one of these criteria (for example you are deaf but can still drive) and if you receive Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate for mobility you will automatically qualify.
If you are in a wheelchair, you can travel free on London Transport buses without any kind of pass at all. This also seems to apply to London Underground although I cannot find written evidence of this. However, many stations nowadays have wide access barriers and assume travellers will be able to open them with their Oyster travelcard; you may have to find someone to let you through the barrier.
There is a Travel Assistance Scheme run by Transport For London - they offer someone to come with you on a journey that you need to make regularly, to help you work out the best route and to gain confidence travelling. However, they take a while to respond - they make an initial call back within a few days of signing up, to take more information, but six months later the author still has not had anyone ring back to follow through!
Buses
Buses are low-floor with wheelchair spaces and even extending ramps. If you need the ramp, you should press the button (on the outside of the bus) once the bus has stopped.
Travellers can be sympathetic on buses although you may still need to ask the driver to wait until you have sat down before he moves off, and to ask passengers to give you an accessible seat. Don't be afraid to speak up. If the wheelchair space is full of pushchairs, ask for them to be folded as it is your right to that space; Transport for London gives priority to wheelchair users. Londoners do tend to ignore you if you don't ask, so be loud and proud!
London Underground and Docklands Light Railway
An access map of the tube network is available on London Underground's website - this covers step free changes, although a reader tells me "it does not accurately distinguish between access needs. For example at Hounslow West 'accessible' station there is a wheelchair lift on the staircase but it was no use for my friend's baby buggy or anyone using crutches". Many other stations are accessible if you can manage escalators as well - it's best to call 020 7222 1234 for advice. You can also plan your journey online, at Transport For London's website - be sure to select "advanced options" and then you can state your mobility needs.
Beware! Transport for London's journeyplanner can often generate a "step-free" route using "wheelchair accessible vehicles" which includes a large step between the train and the platform, which can be impossible for a wheelchair to negotiate. The only truly level access lines are the Docklands Light Railway, the Jubilee Line between Westminster and Stratford, and a few stations on the Victoria line which have a raised platform area.
An invaluable site in finding out exact distances between platforms or the street, or discovering the height of step between train and platform, is Direct Enquiries.
If you need help, you can book it, (for example if you are visually impaired and need assistance at an interchange) but you must be able to carry your own luggage and be fairly self-sufficient - there is no porter service and no buggy to carry you! If you get stuck you can look for a "help point" on the platform so you can talk to station staff, but again they are not a porter service, they are just there for advice and guidance.
Taxicard
A less well-known but very useful scheme is Taxicard - this entitles you to travel in black cabs at a discount. It is awarded by your local council and provision depends on which borough you live in, but in general you can save around £10 on the bill. You can only use certain black cab companies such as ComCab. Anyone can apply, but to automatically be eligible you need to
- receive Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate for mobility
- be registered as Blind
or - receive a War Pension Mobility Supplement
Dial-A-Ride
Like many areas of the UK, London operates a Dial-a-ride scheme. You can travel for up to five miles for free, but your requested time can be adjusted to fit in with other scheduled trips so you must be flexible! You must register as a member and pre-book journeys. Unlike public transport, drivers will help you to your door.
