County advice overview
Key tips
You can find out about accessibility at stations on the National Rail information website
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/default.aspx
Just type the name of your station (or 3 letter code if you know it) and you can find out detailed information for that station under the various headings.
Operators
West Midlands Railway
Cannock Train Station | Trains to Cannock | West Midlands Railway
Planning a journey
Plan my journey can help you plan your journey and help with train times and operators
http://journeyplanner.wmnetwork.co.uk/Station/CAO
Help with costs
Senior Railcard
https://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/
A Senior Railcard is available to people over 60 and costs £30 for a year or £70 for three years. It gives a discount of 1/3 off rail journeys.
The Disabled Person’s Rail card
https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
The disabled person’s railcard costs £20 for a year and £54 for three years. It will entitle you to a saving of 1/3 off rail journeys.
You are eligible for the Disabled Persons Railcard if you:
- receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at either:
the higher or lower rate for the mobility component, or
the higher or middle rate for the care component
- have a visual impairment
- have a hearing impairment
- have epilepsy
- receive Attendance Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance
- receive War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement
- receive War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability
- buy or lease a vehicle through the Motability scheme
Travel assistance
if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance – now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day.
Passenger Assist is a national system used by all train companies, which allows them to make the necessary arrangements for your journey.
How it works
If you have a disability, non-visible disability, or are elderly, you can pre-book journey assistance to make sure you get all the help you need for your journey, including changes, and connections that involve other train companies.
You can also “turn up and go” without booking assistance in advance. If you require assistance at short notice, make yourself known to a member of staff or use a Help Point when you arrive at the station.
You can request assistance either via the train company you are travelling with or nationally through Network Rail
Requesting Passenger Assistance
Passenger Assist and accessibility | West Midlands Railway
Telephone: 0800 024 8998(Freephone, including from mobiles)
Lines are open 24 hours a day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Book passenger assistance via individual train companies
West Midlands Railway
https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/accessible-travel
Travelling with a Mobility aid
All train operators in Staffordshire can carry manual or powered wheelchairs up to a maximum size of 700mm wide by 1200mm long and not exceeding a weight of 300kg including the passenger.
As there are a limited number of spaces available to wheelchair users on each train, it is important that you book your space in advance.
However, the rules for scooters are different for each operator as below:
If you are making a connection to an onward service with another operator, remember to check if you will need a permit for the connecting train.
West Midlands Railway
can carry scooters up to a maximum size of 700mm wide by 1200mm long and not exceeding a weight of 300kg (including the passenger).
However, please note: when travelling with a mobility scooter, this must be folded and stowed in the luggage compartment
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are very welcome on all our trains, free of charge, and can travel in any part of the train. As our trains operate without seat reservations, please ask the member of staff who assists you on-board if you need help to find a suitable space for you and your dog.