©1998-2008 Southwark Disablement Association
DaR has changed for the better. This may seem obvious but you have to be a member of Dial-a-Ride to use it. Call 01689 896333 for an application form and information on general use including membership criteria. Dial-a-Ride is not an on demand Taxi service. You need to book in advance, currently 1 day for Tue to Fri bookings, although same day booking is available but realistically you do not stand much chance. In early 2003 Dial-a-Ride had a bus and a driver dedicated to same day bookings but this seems now to have fallen by the wayside and your only chance now is you may get a slot due to a cancellation but the chances of a return trip is very remote, but always try.
Weekend Bookings: for Saturday, you need to book on the preceding Thursday and for Sunday and Monday on the preceding Friday. Be nice to the telephone operator even if you have been waiting an extra long time. Always start with the greeting ‘good morning’
In the Dial-a-Ride literature the booking lines are open from 9am to 4pm but as the saying goes ‘the early bird catches the worm’ so its best to call at around 9.15am or shortly afterwards booking line 01689 896590. Dial-a-Ride would deter you from calling at that time as the lines are very busy then but persevere, keep hitting the redial button and you will get through in no more than 10 min and often a lot less .You will then only be connected to a telephone operator, who contrary to what some people believe has no authority to confirm or deny you a trip. Your request then is looked at by a booking coordinator (BCO), who will try and accommodate it. If for any reason Dial-a-Ride cannot accommodate your request or the booking times have changed by more than 15 min, they will call you back generally by 12pm but no later than 2.30 pm so if you have not heard from them by then, you can normally assume that the booking is ok remember to check your answering machine if you have one, or the free BT call minder, contact BT for free on 150 to have it switched on if its not already. But if you are anxious, you can always call the enquiry line on 01689896333 or the booking line 01689 896590 to confirm your times.
If you call after the busy period is over after 10.30 you will have a lot less difficulty in getting through, but less chance to get your required time as all the prime slots will be filled up. Dial-a-Ride normally has a late bus running up until 11pm (and on occasion later), so bookings can be made to go out at night. Your local depot for Southwark is Orpington which comes under the banner of South-East London Dial-a-Ride, commonly referred to as SELDAR, if you have any queries or genuine problems with Dial-a-Ride or its use write to me at SDA giving as much information as possible.
TopTaxicard is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it, the north of the borough (where I live) is well served and unfortunately the south is not, but there is an alternative, a licensed mini-cab service called Capital Call on which I will talk about later. The London Taxi card Scheme is funded by the participating London boroughs and the mayor of London, only exclusions are the usual suspects where disabled people get a raw deal always. Glad to say there are only a small few. I guess that makes the Taxi card Scheme like the NHS, a postcode lottery. The Association of London Government Transport and Environment Committee (ALG TEC) manages the London Taxi card Scheme on behalf of the boroughs. The Mayor matches funding by the participating boroughs from his budget.
Your Taxicard can be used anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, subject to taxi availability. You do not have to use it within Southwark, it can be used to and from most areas in London.
To be eligible you must
You may be eligible if you
How does it work?
If your application is approved you will be issued with a card. Once you have this you can telephone the taxi contractor operating the scheme which at the moment is Com Cab to book a taxi, or you can hail one in the street they have a highly visible sticker on the front or use a taxi rank.
You will be given a maximum number of trips that you can take in a year. This is currently a maximum of 144 in Southwark but can be increased on application to the taxi card section at Southwark Council social services.
For application forms contact
London Taxicard Scheme,
ALG Taxicard Section,
New Zealand House,
80 Haymarket,
London.
SW1Y 4TZ
Tel: 020 7484 2929
Fax: 020 7484 2919
www.taxicard.co.uk
In practice, as the taxi meter works on a combination of time and distance, no two journeys, even starting and ending in the same place, are likely to cost exactly the same even during the same taxi tariff period
There is no obligation to tip the driver as Southwark has already paid an amount for this. If you do choose to tip for good service the amount is at your discretion and is not refundable by ALG TEC or Southwark Council.
If for any reason you decide not to travel after booking a taxi please cancel it as soon as possible with the contractor.
Note: If you do not cancel the taxi before it is allocated by the contractor, Southwark has to pay what is on the meter and you also lose a trip from your allocation. This does not apply where a taxi arrives late and you choose not to travel
Maximum run in is £3.40 a Taxi should have no more than £3.40 on the meter on arrival, with the advent of GPS (Global Position Satellite), no taxi is allowed by the computer to "bid" for a job unless he is in the £3.40 range
| SOUTHWARK | MEMBER | FLAT FARE BOROUGH | SUBSIDY FARE LIMIT |
| From 6am - 8pm Mon - Fri | £ 1.50 | £10.30 | £11.80 includes the £1.50 |
| From 8pm- 10pm Mon - Fri & From 6am - 10pm Sat- Sun |
£ 1.50 | £11.30 | £12.80 includes the £1.50 |
| From 10pm - 6am Mon - Sun | £ 1.50 | £12.80 | £14.30 includes the £1.50 |
At the end of your journey you pay the driver the fixed amount which currently in Southwark is £1.50 plus any amount over the total subsidy paid by Southwark Council, depending on the time and day the subsidy in Southwark is £10.30, £11.30 and £12.80. Southwark is one the boroughs where you can stagecoach i.e swipe your card twice for longer journeys. You will get double the subsidy but you will have to pay double the flat member rate £3.00 v £1.50 and two trips will come off your yearly allowance of trips.
For people in the south of the borough, where black taxi's are in very short supply, you can get a company called Capital Call, who only use licensed mini- cabs, you have to be a Taxicard member to use it, it is financed totally by the Mayor and is independent of taxi card. You get a personal budget of £200 yearly from April to April, it cannot be carried forward. It can be used up in all one journey or a few short ones. Last year I used it for a trip to Gatwick airport return and Bluewater shopping centre return, Its normally manual wheelchairs they take, but you can get one with a tail lift which will take a scooter or power wheelchair for a premium of around £20.
Remember this comes out of your travel budget and not out of your pocket. You only pay the cab driver £1.50 no matter what the fare comes to, within your annual personal budget of £200.You can avail yourself of this service no matter where you live in Southwark and you can be a member of each with no penalty.
Capital Call 020 7275 2446 Taxicard 020 7484 2929
TopThe thought of travelling alone can be very distressing for a wheelchair user, but with advance thought and plenty of pre-planning can make it a pleasant and enjoyable experience. First of all I will discuss National Rail. This will only apply to mainline stations. First off you need to find out which train operator services your destination by calling National Rail enquires at 0845 748 4950 or online at National Rail. If you´re in a wheelchair do not be persuaded to buy a rail card as the fact that you are in a wheelchair entitles you to the maximum discount. The same applies to travelling by London buses and underground where in a wheelchair you travel free as long as you have a Freedom Pass. When you make your booking, try and give them as much advance notice as possible. Ideally they would like at least 24 hrs, but it is possible to travel on less but they can give no guarantee of assistance then and if its national, it can be a lot more expensive.
They will tell you if your destination is accessible and the location of the Disabled Assistance Office on the concourse, some of these concourse´s can look like airport terminals, do not be alarmed. If you need help or assistance just ask anyone in uniform. When you arrive at the station check in at Disabled Assistance Office and make yourself known to them. They will then tell you what time you need to be back by, usually 30-45 mins prior to your train departure, until then you are free to do as will.
At your given time you will be taken by a porter to the train, he will then get a set off ramps and take you onboard the train. There are certain areas for wheelchair users to sit, in most carriages it´s near the toilet with a table and seat opposite, if you have an escort they will sit there. There is also a button there to call for assistance (like food and drink from the buffet) as it´s very un-likely a wheelchair user could do it themselves. Unless the train is very busy that area will be free during your entire journey. Most modern trains have disabled toilets and automatic doors. Make yourself known to the Train Manager (ticket collector) who will
radio ahead and make sure you are met at your destination thankfully (gone are the days when you had to travel in the guards van) if for some reason the train operator is not using a modern carriage on that line (very rare), you will not have to pay to travel in the guards van, or in any area that´s not in a carriage. It´s best to travel (if you have one) in a manual wheelchair, especially for onward transport by car. It is possible to book a disabled taxi at most locations, but again forward planning is required.
Forward planning is a buzz word us disabled people have to use all of the time for successful traveling.
Next I will talk about Eurostar. A fantastic way, to travel to Europe if you are in a wheelchair. Again its all about forward planning, Eurostar will upgrade you and an escort both to first class or if you are traveling on your own, just you, but you have to tell them in advance that you are in a wheelchair. At the end of each carriage in first class, there is a wheelchair space and beside it, a seat for your escort. It´s just like an airline with a table that folds out of the back of the seat in front. Remember this is only in first class and you do have to tell them you are in a wheelchair and request the upgrade.
You will enjoy all the benefits of first class travel, including a 3 course meal with wine and champagne, all for free. The journey goes all too quick. You will have assistance at both ends, just book it when you are making your reservation.
If you live in Southwark the best and cheapest way to get to and from one of the mainline stations, like Waterloo or St Pancras for Eurostar or any of the others is to make an advance booking at either Dial-a-Ride or Capital Call. Any questions or queries contact me at the SDA offices 0207 701 1391
TopWith the advent of the budget airline, air travel has become the perogative of most disabled people. The savings made with a budget airline outweigh the advantages of travelling with a name brand airline, at least I think so. It might sound difficult, but if you follow precisely the instructions they give you, you should have no problem, and the advantages of being able to travel for 1p +taxes will make up for any inconvenience.
The following advice is if you are flying with one of the major airlines.
Every fact sheet including this, that I have written about is based on personal experiences and not taken from company literature or guide books. As I said before the secret to success is forward planning. Make sure you check in early to give you time in case of any hitch´s, change currency and duty free shopping. I have travelled on my own on many short haul and long haul to Singapore and Los Angeles both 14hr flights and many more. Of course it is best if you have a travelling companion for personal assistance. As soon as you book your ticket tell the airline involved that you will require assistance at both ends which is free of charge, even if you are not travelling on your own. Most airlines will carry wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and any medical equipment you may have in the baggage hold for free. You can take a power chair but only if it has dry cell batteries. There are some restrictions on carrying an oxygen bottle. Best to ask the airline that is your carrier. If you are severely disabled and need help with toileting, the airlines would prefer you to bring your own assistance as the Flight Attendants are classed as food handlers and by law they cannot enter the toilet with you, but they can help you with most other things. When you arrive at the Airport, contact the special assistance desk that will take you, assuming you have booked assistance through check in, security and then onto the aircraft. You can stay in your own wheelchair until you reach the departure gate. Make sure you ask them at check in for gate delivery of your wheelchair, (which means that your wheelchair will be brought to the gate at your destination airport) and they put that tag on your wheelchair and give you a receipt with the rest of your baggage tags usually stuck onto your flight coupon. The reason for the receipt is in case of a claim at a later stage. Once at the gate you will then be transferred to the onboard (very small) wheelchair. Only use this if necessary, I use the aircraft seats as support to get to my assigned seat. Always ask one of the flight attendants to take your leg rests and cushion and place them in the overhead storage bins above your seat, as there is nothing worse than getting to your destination and finding out you have no leg rests or cushion. You will be the first to board the aircraft. Try and get a seat near the toilets on the aisle seat. If you have any problem with your kidneys, refrain from too much alcohol but drink plenty of water to avoid suffering from dehydration, which is common at high altitude.
Keep your feet moving at all times and wriggle your toes (to avoid DVT) especially on long flights. If you need assistance getting to the door of the toilet, ask in plenty of time.
At the other end you will be the last off, so relax and let everyone deplane first and use that time to check you have all your belongings. Then you will be assisted to the onboard wheelchair or make your own way to the door of the aircraft, where your own wheelchair will be waiting for you or in the case of assistance the destination airport supplied one. The flight attendants will bring your cushion and leg rests to the door, just ask them. Your assistant from the Airport authority will then push you to immigration and baggage control even if you have a companion. This service is free and you are not obliged to tip, unless you want to for exceptional service. Make sure you have all your hand baggage.
After you pass through immigration and customs and collect your baggage (you will receive assistance for this, if required) your assistant from the Airport authority will then deposit you landside where hopefully you will have someone to meet you. It is also a good idea about 3 hrs before landing to ask the purser to radio ahead and confirm your assistance will be available.
There are two ways of getting on and off the plane depending on the Airport, the first is the easiest which is by airbridge from the terminal to the plane and the most undignified is by LOM lift mobile and is used when the airbridge is out of order or an airport does not have one. Glad to say most airports have them now except in remote locations. The LOM is used to transport food on board and pulls up to a special door just behind the cockpit.
Do not be afraid of taking a trip that involves air travel, just plenty of pre planning will make your trip a pleasant and enjoyable experience. The cheapest route to an airport is Victoria (train) for Gatwick, Paddington (train) for Heathrow and Liverpool St (train) for Stansted.. With an advance booking, you can travel to any of these main line stations with Dial-a-Ride or use Capital Call. All these train journeys are fully accessible.
TopAll buses according to Tfl and the Mayor are now 100% accessible. In theory the are! and drivers having completed the BTEC disability training course within one year of hiring should be very familiar with operating the ramp. Unfortunately it is not so, and to have a pleasant journey, you will have to assist the driver to deploy the ramp successfully.
The area painted around where the bus pulls up is called the bus cage. You should signal to the driver in plenty of time or as soon as you can, that you want to travel on that particular bus. Drivers according to TfL and BTEC training should keep all doors closed and let alighting passengers alight through the middle doors. Then they will extend the ramp, while keeping the front door closed until the wheelchair user is settled in position. This is all in theory but very few drivers abide by it. In reality you will join other passengers in boarding. Very few of the actual ramps are faulty, its normally driver error!!, and if you want to have a successful journey for now at least, until drivers become used to having wheelchair users onboard, you will need to help out with advice. As wheelchair users for so long were prevented from travelling on buses, some drivers have never actually operated the ramp in a working environment. Some advice follows
Now we come to buggies and prams in the wheelchair space. People with buggies and prams were used to seeing a bus pull up for wheelchair users and the ramp then failing to work or the driver refusing to let a wheelchair user board, giving people with a buggy the wrong impression. Wheelchair users have priority for that space as it´s the only place that wheelchair users can safety travel in. Most people with buggies will gladly move without being asked as soon as they see a wheelchair come up the ramp. If they do not, just ask nicely. If you have to, point out the sign where it says ‘wheelchairs have priority’. If all that does not work , then unfortunately you will involve the bus driver
Patrick Horan Access Officer and Chair of Southwark Disablement Association
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