Transport for West Midlands
Train services are becoming far more accessible, and many disabled people can use the rail network without help.
Key tips
If you do require help its best to book your journey 6 hours in advance, for example if you:
- find it hard to get on and off trains
- use a wheelchair – on most trains you’ll need a boarding ramp and to reserve a wheelchair space
- use a mobility scooter – some train companies have restrictions
- have a visual impairment and need guidance at the station or help getting on and off the train
- have difficulty walking long distances – some stations have wheelchairs or electric buggies.
By booking your journey in advance, National Rail and the train company can make it as easy as possible for you to travel. They can make arrangements if the station is not step-free or usually not staffed at the time.
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
Regular services to Birmingham international, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham New Street, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Hereford, Lichfield, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wolverhampton.
Chiltern Railways
Trains to Bicester Village, London, Birmingham, Oxford, Wembley Stadium, Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Chilterns.
Planning a journey
My journey West Midland can help you plan your journey and help with train times and operators
Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets (thetrainline.com)
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 pass for disabled people
If you are disabled, you could be eligible for a pass that gives you free and low-cost travel in West Midlands and the rest of England under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme. Depending on your disability, you could qualify for either a travel pass for disabled people or a travel plus pass for disabled people.
Disabled Persons Railcard | Disabled Train Pass | Trainline (thetrainline.com)
Travel pass for older people
If you qualify for a state pension, you could be eligible for a pass that gives you free travel in West Midlands and the rest of England under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Senior Railcard | Buy the Senior Citizen (60+) Railcard for £30 | Trainline (thetrainline.com)
Travel assistance
Passenger Assist is a national system used by all train companies, which allows them to make the necessary arrangements for your journey.
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 includes:
- offering a helping hand to navigate the station
- support when boarding the train
- meeting you from your train and taking you to your next train or the exit
- arranging a ramp on or off your train
- assistance relating to a non-visible impairment
- carrying your bag(s) – up to three items of luggage as per the National Rail Conditions of Travel
The train company you’re travelling with will organise assistance for your entire journey, even if you travel with another train company as part of your journey.
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.
Travelling with a Mobility aid
All train operators in Worcester 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. Scooters up to a maximum size of 700mm wide by 1200mm long and not exceeding a weight of 300kg (including the passenger). Trains have spaces in carriages that are clearly marked on the outside of the train. Wheelchair spaces are available within standard class accommodation only.