Making its network more accessible has always been an ongoing project for rail operator Northern, and despite COVID-19 restrictions, it is continuing to make the network more accessible for when passengers return.
Users of mobility scooters can now travel to and from 100 stations thanks to a new scheme launched last year.
A new scooter permit scheme was launched on more than 21 routes and at a total of 140 stations in October, and dozens of users have applied for a permit so far.
To get a permit, the passenger should apply and then their scooter will be assessed to make sure it is safe to be carried on board.
Once approved, a personalised sticker will be given to the scooter user that will be easily identified and placed on the mobility scooter, plus the user will also be given a card to use.
You can apply for a Mobility Scooter Permit via the Northern website.
The permits are valid at Accrington, Hathersage, Adwick, Hazel Grove, Alderley Edge, Heald Green, Altrincham, Heaton Chapel, Apperley Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Ashley, Holmes Chapel, Ashton-under-Lyne, Horwich Parkway, Aspatria, Huddesfield, Baildon, Hull Paragon, Bamber Bridge, Ilkeston, Barnsley, Ilkley, Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Beverley, Kirkham & Wesham, Bingley, Kirkstall Forge, Birchwoood, Knutsford, Blackburn, Lancaster, Blackpool North, Leeds, Blackrod, Liverpool Lime Street, Bolton, Liverpool South Parkway, Bradford Forster Square, Lockwood, Bradford Interchange, Low Moor, Bridlington, Macclesfield, Buckshaw Parkway, Manchester Airport, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Manchester Piccadilly, Burnage, Manchester Victoria, Burscough Bridge, Maryport, Buxton, Mauldeth Road, Cark & Cartmel, Micklefield, Carlisle, Middlewood, Carnforth, Mobberley, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Moses Gate, Cheadle Hulme, Naviagtion Road, Chester, New Mills Newtown, Chesterfield, New Pudsey, Chorley, Newton-le-Willows, Congleton, Nottingham, Corkickle, Oxenholme Lake District, Crewe, Penistone, Cross Gates, Plumley, Crossflatts, Poulton-le-Fylde, Delamere, Poynton, Derby, Preston, Dinting, Retford, Disley, Rochdale, Doncaster, Roose, Dore & Totley, Saint Helens Central, Dove Holes, Saxilby, Dronfield, Sheffield, East Didsbury, Skipton, Edale, South Elmsall, Elsecar, Southport, Euxton Balshaw Lane, Sowerby Bridge, Farnworth, Stalybridge, Foxfield, Stockport, Frodsham, Stoke-on-Trent, Furness Vale, Styal, Gainsborough Lea Road, Wakefield Kirkgate, Gatley, Wakefield Westgate, Glossop, Warrington Bank Quay, Goostrey, Warrington West, Gorton, Wavertree Technology Park, Grange-over-Sands, Whitehaven, Green Road, Wigan North Western, Guide Bridge, Wigan Wallgate, Guiesely, Wilmslow, Hadfield, Windermere, Hale, Wombwell, Halifax, Worksop, Handforth and York.
Maxine Myers, Accessibility Improvement Manager, at Northern said: “More than 21 routes across our network are now scooter friendly – and more will be rolled out in the near future as we continue to make our trains and stations as accessible as possible for our passengers.”
“The scheme has already been very popular and although we strongly advise people to continue to follow the Government's advice only travel if essential for work, or for other legally permitted reasons we want our customers to know that our network can accommodate scooter users to help them get where they need to be.”
“Anyone who wants to bring their scooters on our trains should apply for a permit first so we can check it meets the standards that make it safe for us to take it on-board.”
Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern said: “We are committed to giving people with additional mobility needs the confidence to travel by rail, including during the CODIC-19 pandemic. We want to support our customers whenever they need it.”
“The mobility scooter scheme is an example of this commitment and we'll be looking to deliver improved accessibility across our network as we roll out similar improvements at other stations in the future.”
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This is a marvellous idea and I hope this catches on nationally. I have lots of friends in the Wirral & Cheshire area who I can only visit using my wheelchair ♿ and it is very difficult & tiring on my own. Being able to get on trains with a mobility scooter would open the world up for me!
I remember in the 60s/70s lots of trains would have at least one bench seated or empty carriage where you were able to get on with Prams/Pushchairs, bikes & Wheelchairs’ etc.