Passenger Assistance on trains

It is so nice to get complimentary reports of good service. Well done, BR!
And thank you, Franbern, for commenting.
Perhaps we should carry on this complimentary thread.
In my case, I went to an M&S in Cardiff recently and was measured and fitted for bras in a matter of minutes, by a very nice assistant! (My previous experience trying to get measured etc., locally was less than satisfactory.)

What an uplifting post, Franbern! Thank you for writing such an encouraging contribution to help others with travel worries. Is it possible to notify the company involved of how well their staff are doing?

Good luck next time! ?? ?

I'm so glad you had good service. This is another reason why we need guards on the train. They are the people who take care of passengers just before and during the journey.

What an uplifting post Franbern. We too used to use Passenger Assistance regularly when Paw had hospital clinic appointments in London - often as frequently as one a week, and it made all the difference. On one occasion they even held the train because a last minute change of platform meant using the lift to go up and then down on the other side.
But to be able to maintain your independence is priceless.
I think you are very brave to attempt the underground though- I’d take a taxi!

I reported my excellent service on ScotRail to their website and received assurance that the people concerned would receive my thanks.
I had left my luggage on the first train on changing trains.
Thanks to the staff at every stage, I recovered my case the same day for no cost apart from a couple of hours.

Maw I would need to take out a mortgage to take a taxi from Paddington right across London to the Essex borders. It takes just two tube trains. I get on at Paddington, get the lift right down to platform, change at Mile end, when all I have to do is cross the platform to get Central Line train, and the station I get out is totally step free. So, really cannot see any problem. I may get out of my chair and free wheel it on to the tube if there is a large 'Mind the Gap'. ( At least I will get passenger assistance to do that for me), and I will just walk on and off.

Not sure of your Somerset train station,
but if I were you AVOID London please.
There are direct trains from Taunton and Bristol to the North East(Darlington Durham and Newcastle) and its a cheaper route.
Let me know if you want any further info.
I could suggest using the plane from Exeter or Bristol,
if I am allowed too.

Franbern

Maw I would need to take out a mortgage to take a taxi from Paddington right across London to the Essex borders. It takes just two tube trains. I get on at Paddington, get the lift right down to platform, change at Mile end, when all I have to do is cross the platform to get Central Line train, and the station I get out is totally step free. So, really cannot see any problem. I may get out of my chair and free wheel it on to the tube if there is a large 'Mind the Gap'. ( At least I will get passenger assistance to do that for me), and I will just walk on and off.

Brilliant Franbern - step free access is of course the answer. And you know your tube stations.
In Paris last weekend I found (to my cost) that the Métro doesn’t really do stepfree access. I don’t use any mobility aids - but felt ready for one after all those steps!

Good to hear!

I walk with a stick but can pull myself on and off a train - what I cannot do is lift my luggage onto or off the train or stowage racks as I have had back surgery. Do they help with that?

infoman - why do you say avoid London.

Not with a wheelchair, but I have used Passenger Assistance going via Paddington for several Years. Always been very good and helpful - Paddington has those wonderful electric trucks which they use to take people with mobility problems round that large stations.

In the past I have only used P.Assistance on the underground or one journey. This cannot be booked in advance, as they have no way of knowing which carriage you will be on. I had arranged a visit to Weston super Mare, staying with my daughter there, flat hunting. Then I had a very bad accident, stress fracture in my back - was really worried about that journey. However, all went extremely well. Underground TFL assistance put on each tube, phoned ahead to station I was changing, etc and was met and helped off, my small suitcase carried each time. At Paddington they handed me on to PAssistance for the trains.

I am fortunate in that the station at Weston super Mare, where I now live, is step free. My travels are to visit my AC So, Warrington, NE London, and Brighton/Eastbourne.

I think infoman must have thought you meant the North East, rather than North East London.

no need to avoid public transport in london.
here is an example why; tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/learn-to-use-public-transport