Going by rail

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Rail travel is becoming easier for disabled people as stations are being modernised and trains are replaced or refurbished. However, the variety of different rail companies and the range of rolling stock they use can make rail travel a confusing prospect if you are thinking about making a journey, especially an unfamiliar one. But help can usually be arranged. In its publication 'Avoiding Disability Discrimination in Transport - A Practical Guide for Rail Services', the Disability Rights Commission, now the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), states that:

"On grounds of equality of treatment, disabled passengers generally should be able to make a rail journey without having to book in advance.

However, the step up from the platform to the train means that wheelchair users, and some others with mobility impairments, will always require assistance in boarding trains. Moreover the sheer size of some major city stations, and the high number of un-staffed rural stations, will also mean that disabled people with a range of other impairments will need assistance to safely board the right train.

To provide assistance for passengers [Train Operating Companies] operate the Assisted Passenger Reservation System (APRS), which allows passengers to book assistance 24 hours before their journey. This system is also important for passengers who need to travel in their wheelchairs and want to reserve one of the limited number of wheelchair spaces on board trains."

The full document can be downloaded from the EHRC website at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publicationsandresources/Disability/Pages/Transport.aspx.

The booklet "Rail Travel Made Easy", available from larger rail stations, gives more information, including details of concessions offered with a Disabled Persons Railcard and the application form for this railcard. Many rail companies also produce booklets for disabled travellers with the facilities available at their main rail stations.

A copy of "Rail Travel Made Easy" can be found at: nrekb.nationalrail.co.uk/system/galleries/download/misc/rtdp.pdf (Adobe Acrobat).