County Advice overview
First Buses have produced cards called Extra Help to Travel cards and Safe Journey Cards for people who have a disability to use on their buses. They are available from Travel shops or you can download one using the link below:
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/node_images/Extra-Help-To-Travel-journey-assistance-cards-june-20-v2.pdf
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/node_images/Safe_Journey_Card.pdf
Key tips for Planning your journey
When planning a journey by bus, things to consider might be “Where is my nearest bus stop?” and “What bus number do I need?”. You may also want to think about buying your ticket, what it will cost, can you pay by cash or card and can you buy it in advance online. Be aware that online tickets for buses are often non-refundable if you cannot make your journey.
Buses can only stop at marked bus stops, so you need to be sure where you are getting off in advance. If you are not sure, the bus driver should be happy to help you. Ask the driver to let you know when your stop is coming up. You may need to consider if the nearest bus stop is accessible if you are travelling with a scooter or wheelchair.
Plan my journey https://journeyplanner.networkwestmidlands.com/Station/WVH
Can help with advice about travel choices in your area that may result in saving you time and money.
Journey planning
Local bus providers have journey planners and will be able to help you with information about your journey.
Traveline is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring you routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, coach and ferry and to provide it in as many different ways as possible.
You can check when the next buses in the West Midlands area are due at your chosen stop here:
If you are travelling outside the county, the national NextBuses website will help you search for bus timetables and your nearest bus stop.
You can put in your postcode to find your nearest stop and the next bus due https://nextbuses.mobi/
Operators:
Arriva
Arriva UK Bus | Buy Bus Tickets & Check Live Bus Timetables (arrivabus.co.uk)
Diamond
Diamond Bus | Diamond Bus (diamondbuses.com)
Stagecoach
Live Bus Times & Timetables | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
Help with cost – Concessionary Travel
Older Person’s Bus Pass
Concessionary bus passes are available for older people who have reached state pension age and resident in West Midlands. The older person’s bus pass entitles you to free travel on bus services throughout England from 9.30am to 11am Monday to Friday and all day at Weekends and on public holidays.
Residents of West Midlands can apply here:
Free Travel Pass Registration – Before you apply (freetravelwm.org.uk)
Disabled Person’s Bus pass
If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Person’s bus pass Residents of Hampshire can apply because of a disability. There is no upper age restriction for the disabled person’s bus pass.
Information on eligibility is available here: Get a disabled person’s pass | Transport for West Midlands (tfwm.org.uk)
If you live in West Midlands, you can apply for a disabled person’s bus pass here: application-form.pdf (tfwm.org.uk)
Travelling with mobility equipment
Wheelchairs and Scooters
All Arriva, Diamond buses and Stagecoach buses are built for easy-access with low floors,
All low floor buses have a dedicated area for wheelchair/scooter users; other passengers are required to give up the space for wheelchair/scooter users.
When your low floor bus arrives at the bus stop you can ask the driver to lower the step and/or ramp to allow you to board.
Wheelchair/scooter users have priority over everyone else for the use of the designated wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely.
If the bus is full or there is already a wheelchair/scooter user on board it may not be possible not be able to carry another wheelchair/scooter user.
Arriva policy
Arriva accept 3 or 4 wheeled Class 2 scooters under the CPT Code for the use and acceptance of mobility scooters on low floor buses provided the scooter does not exceed 100cm long and 60cm wide with a turning circle of 120cm. Mobility scooters will only be carried on accessible buses that are fitted with a ramp provided they do not exceed the weight limit shown on the ramp. In some cases, our ability to carry scooters may be affected by specific factors relevant to the scooter model or accessible bus type.
If the bus is full or there is already a wheelchair/scooter user on board it may not be possible not be able to carry another wheelchair/scooter user. Permits are required to ensure the safety of using mobility scooters on board. Please contact the Customer Service team to arrange a scooter pass assessment on 0344 800 4411.
Diamond Policy
Wheelchair Access
All our buses are wheelchair accessible.
All our buses have an access ramp at the entrance, if you require the ramp to be lowered when you board or alight the bus, please ask your driver for assistance.
All of our buses have a dedicated wheelchair space.
Wheelchairs must be positioned with the brakes on and with the back of the chair against the backrest, aisles and gangways must be kept clear at all times
Assistance Dogs
All recognised guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed to travel for free on all West Midland buses.