I just have to put up something about how marvellous Passenger Assistance is on railway travelling.
I am in my mid-80's, and due to various problems need to use a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair to get about. I am very independent and do not have any sort of 'carer'.
Since giving up my car three years ago, I have not been able to visit two of my daughters both living in different towns on the South Coast. Decided to have a 'holiday' with such a visit this year. I prefer to stay at a hotel (usually Premier Inn in their Accessible rooms), rather than staying at anyone's house. Know exactly what I get in PI.
So, I set off last Friday from my local station in Somerset, train to London, just needed Passenger Assistance to put up the ramp for me to get on the train in wheelchair. I do transfer to normal seat. PA with ramp to get off at Paddington, then I used a taxi to get to Victoria station where again used PA to use train there and off again at Eastbourne. Overnight at Premier Inn, collected by daughter in the morning - able to have wonderful day with her and g.daughters, and see all the improvements on their house.
Back to overnight in hotel, then, following morning, train to Brighton - again with Passenger Assistance on and off train. Collected by other daughter and another wonderful day with her family. Overnight in PI in Brighton. Had also managed to make arrangement to meet up with a friend of 60 years who I had not seen for a decade on the Monday morning. Coffee and chat with her, then off to the station to get the first of three trains to get me back home.
All my arrangements had been booked well in advance with Passenger Assistance, and all went without a single hitch. They are such lovely people and ensure that you just receive the help you require. Do get people expressing surprise as to 'brave' I am to do such journeys by myself in a wheelchair. Cannot understand what is brave about it. Thanks to these wonderful Assistance people, it is so very easy. I love train travel, I read, doze, knit or sometimes chatter with other passengers.
I saw recently that someone had complained about Passenger Assistance. It appears as if she just turned up at a station, and then get annoyed because the Assistance people there stated that she had to queue as those (like me) who had booked in advance got priority. She then became insulting and got herself banned from any help, Good for those staff. I have never ever found any of them anything other than very pleasant, extremely helpful and lovely in every way.
If any other posters would like to make this sort of journey in a wheelchair, and feel worried about it, do PM me.
I had a wonderful few days holiday with absolutely no stress whatsoever
