A carer is someone who looks after a relative or friend who is frail, disabled or ill
Southwark Carers
Cambridge House
131 Camberwell Rd
London
SE5 0HF
T: 020 7708 4497
Transport and Mobility
If you or the person you care for is disabled then travelling can be difficult. This section looks at the range of services, locally and nationally, which help disabled people and their carers on journeys within Southwark and beyond.
Public Transport
The Transport for London Freedom Pass allows disabled and older people free bus, underground and rail travel throughout London. Many bus routes are served by wheelchair accessible Mobility Buses or Low Floor Buses.
Information on accessible public transport in London is available from Transport for London’s Rough Guide to Accessing London. The accessible transport users' association - Transport for All - campaigns for a fully accessible public transport system. They also provide information and advice on accessible transport in London and advocate on behalf of people who experience problems with the system.
Older and disabled people can obtain reduced rail fares if they purchase a Senior Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard. The national rail website also includes details about the accessibility of all UK stations for wheelchair users.
Many carers are eligible to receive financial assistance with transport costs related to taking a break from caring, via Southwark Carers’ Fix-Yourself-A-Break scheme. For more details see Breaks from Caring.
Private Transport
Some disabled people are entitled to a Blue Badge which allows them certain parking concessions when travelling as either driver or passenger. To apply, contact the Disabilities Office (Tel: 020 7525 2141). At the present time Southwark do not offer a carer’s permit scheme giving similar concessions to carers.
Southwark Council have recently introduced a Disabled Driver Ancillary Parking Permit for residents who have a Blue Badge. This permit can be displayed in your vehicle over-night, instead of the Blue Badge, reducing the risk of theft. You can find out more by calling: 020 7525 2347.
People in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of DLA may apply for exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax). Contact the Disability Benefits Unit (Tel: 08457 123456) to apply.
Motability is a charity that assists disabled people to become more mobile by helping them use the higher rate DLA mobility component to lease or buy a vehicle which meets their needs, such as a car, powered wheelchair or scooter.
The Disabled Drivers Association and Disabled Drivers Motor Club promote the independence of car drivers with disabilties and campaign on a number of issues including Blue Badge abuse.
Further advice and information on issues affecting disabled drivers is provided by the Department of Transport's Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS)
The government have an online service that allows people to locate Blue Badge parking bays in towns and cities across the UK. It provides a map for users to pinpoint the locations exactly, and also includes details of local accessible petrol stations. The service is part of the Directgov website.
Buggies, Scooters and Wheelchairs
Some people find that low speed buggies or scooters are a great aid to their mobility. Advice on choosing a vehicle is available from the Disabled Living Foundation and Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Mobility Centre where clients can try a range of scooters and wheelchairs.
If someone you care for has a permanent need for a wheelchair they will be provided with one by the NHS. The Disabled Living Foundation provides information on hiring wheelchairs and on choosing manual and electric wheelchairs.
Keeping mobile is a leaflet from Help the Aged that can be read on their website. It contains information for older people about health and fitness, mobility aids, driving advice and getting around without a car.
Dial-a-Ride
Dial-A-Ride provide a door-to-door transport service for people with disabilities that prevent them from using public transport. The service is geared around local journeys and fares start from 60p. Carers can travel with the disabled person (for an additional charge). Users must register with the scheme and journey bookings must be made at least 2 days in advance. Contact Dial-A-Ride Southwark (Tel: 01689 896 333) for an application form.
Taxis
Most licensed taxis in London are wheelchair accessible. Minicabs are usually not fully wheelchair accessible, although many disabled people and their carers find them more convenient.
Disabled people who are unable to use public transport may be eligible for subsidised taxi journeys using the Taxicard scheme. Users pay a minimum of £1.50 per trip and Southwark Council pay the additional fare up to £10.30. Carers and companions can travel at the same time for a small fee. Contact Taxicard for an application form.
Group Transport
It is possible to hire an accessible minibus, with or without a driver, for group holidays and outings. Southwark Disablement Association (SDA) can provide information on organisations to contact.
Planning a trip
RADAR is an organisation of disabled people which produces a range of useful information on access issues. They run the National Key Scheme which enables disabled people to access 4,000 locked public toilets around the country. They also publish A Guide to Transport for Disabled People.
If you need help with planning a journey, in the UK or abroad, contact Tripscope. Tripscope offers advice to people with impaired mobility and their carers on overcoming travel difficulties.
The Arts Interest Group (Tel: 020 8761 4898) provides door-to-door transport enabling people with mobility difficulties to visit art exhibitions in London’s galleries and museums.
The advice sections are currently under development and being added to regularly.
If you can't find the information you need, or have any comments or queries please contact us
Southwark Carers is incorporated as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee number 4146495. Charity number 1085300.