In West Surrey, advice on community transport is available from:
West Surrey Rural Transport Partnership Officer
Tel: 01483 523 037
In Arun and the Chichester District of West Sussex, advice and a publication similar to this (covering the whole of West Sussex) is available from:
West Sussex Rural Transport Partnership Officer
Tel: 01243 756 603
Fax: 01243 777 946
Or in Horsham, Worthing and Adur areas, advice and a publication similar to this (covering the whole of West Sussex) is available from:
Rural Transport Partnership Officer
Tel: 01243 756 625
Fax: 01243 777 946
In East Sussex, advice and a publication similar to this is available from:
East Sussex Rural Transport Partnership Officer
Tel: 01273 407 329
In Kent, advice on community transport is available from:
Kent and Medway Rural Transport Partnership Officer
Tel: 01303 850 816
Or in South Kent:
Rural Transport Partnership Officer (South Kent)
Tel: 01303 850 816
Surrey County Council produces timetables, printed guides and a county map and these are available from the following:
Traveline can also advise on transport available in Surrey and nationwide.
There are many newer more accessible buses now operating in east Surrey, but it is advisable to ring the bus operator before your journey to ensure you will be able to board, travel and get off safely.
The Postbus scheme uses specially prepared red mail vans
to pick up passengers as well as post, once or twice a day. There are 4 'post
buses' in Surrey :
Dorking - Ockley
Redhill - Outwood
Reigate - Leigh
Oxted - Lingfield
Tel: 08457 740 740 Textphone: 0845 600 06 06
The Royal Mail website has more information.
Railway companies welcome disabled travellers and are committed to making widespread improvements to stations and trains to make travel easier.
Many of the companies operating train services produce their own guides for disabled travellers. If you require more information contact your local train operator. Train services and details of how to make reservations are given in Passenger Timetables available from most staffed stations and rail appointed travel agents. Copies of Rail Travel for Disabled Passengers are available from most rail stations.
Planning your journey
Whenever possible please inform your local rail contact point, 48 hours in advance, of your travel plans so that arrangements can be made for you to have as comfortable journey as possible. You may do this by writing to your local rail manager at your departure station or telephoning your local contact point. Arrangements can usually be made for staff to meet you at your departure and destination point.
At many stations, staff can arrange to provide portable ramps for wheelchair users. In other cases, lightweight portable ramps are carried on the train. Manual wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs up to a maximum width of 67cm and a length of 120cm can be conveyed on all trains subject to availability of space. Powered scooters cannot be conveyed on all services. Details can be obtained from the relevant train company.
Regrettably, rail staff, while happy to assist in any reasonable way they can, cannot lift disabled passengers between wheelchairs and cars/trains/train seats or up and down flights of stairs.
See the national rail website for timetable information.
Hospital Transport
If you are to attend an outpatient appointment at a hospital, based on your medical condition, you may qualify for hospital transport.
Provision of this type of transport must be authorised by your Doctor and subsequent visits must be authorised by a nurse or consultant at the hospital.
Details are available from your GP's surgery or health centre.
Financial Assistance
Depending on your circumstances you may be entitled to financial assistance with hospital transport. Information about this can be found in the Department of Health leaflet HC11 'Are you entitled to help with health costs?' To request a copy ring 08701 555 455 or the leaflet can be viewed online at the Department of Health website.
Public Transport
If you can use public transport to reach an appointment, please do so. There are many bus services that go directly to hospitals. The Traveline website (or telephone 0870 608 2 608) can tell you which bus and train services are available and help you plan your journey. Or visit the Surrey County Council website for bus timetables that are also available in libraries, borough and district council offices and some post offices and newsagents.
Community Transport
If you cannot use public transport some of the community transport schemes listed in the community transport directory may be able to assist you with transport to a medical appointment. Please check their criteria to see if they do and when booking the transport please make the purpose of your journey clear, so allowances can be made for the appointment taking longer than expected.
The British Red Cross Society and St John Ambulance may also offer help with medical transport, for more information please see the following links:
British Red Cross Society
www.redcross.org.uk
St John Ambulance
www.surrey.sja.org.uk
If none of these options are available to you please contact the ESRTP and you will be advised if any other option is possible.
NHS Direct For help with health related questions and information in confidence visit the NHS direct website or telephone 0845 46 47.
Accident & Emergency
In the event of a serious medical accident/emergency, an ambulance can be called by dialling 999 (999 or 112 when using a mobile).
The following companies/individuals offer a wheelchair user accessible taxi service. The location is not restrictive but is a guide to help you find your nearest operator. Please ring the relevant number for further information:
Double L Licensed Taxis: 07966 482 043 (Merstham;
Reigate & Banstead Borough)
Offer a seven seater hackney carriage with wheelchair user access via
a ramp. Lady driver with blue badge clearance to carry children.
Eddie's Wheelchair Friendly Taxi Service: 07958 966 823 (Tandridge
District)
Facilities to carry one wheelchair user and up to six other passengers,
access to the vehicle via a ramp. Monday to Saturday distance no object.
Epsom Railway Station Taxi rank: 01372 723 619 (Epsom
& Ewell Borough)
This number is for the main taxi rank in Epsom where wheelchair user
accessible hackney carriages are used. Please state you require a wheelchair
user accessible vehicle when calling.
Eurotaxi: 07949 035 011 (Redhill; Reigate & Banstead Borough) Facilities to carry one wheelchair user with access to vehicle via a ramp.
FBR Taxis: 01306 885 533 (Dorking; Mole Valley )
One vehicle accessible to a wheelchair user. Discount for pensioners
living in outlying villages. NB Accessible vehicle is
subject to availability.
Gatwick Travel/DC Price Taxi Services: 01342 843 903 or 07880 540
164 (Smallfield, Merstham & Redhill; Reigate and Banstead
Borough)
Vehicle available to carry up to four wheelchair users (with advance
notice and dependant on type of wheelchair), access via a ramp. Drivers approved
by local authority licensing officers for transport of children. Lady drivers
available. www.gatwicktravel.com
New Century Cars: 01883 734 985 (Oxted; Tandridge District)
Up to 8 seater vehicles with ramp access. Transfers to all airports and hospitals.
Local and long distance journeys.
Regency Cars: 01932 351 161 (Cobham; Elmbridge Borough)
Variety of vehicles ranging from one wheelchair user and one passenger
up to two wheelchair users and six passengers. Private hire minibus available
with 8-16 seats.
Saunders Taxis: 07711 730 721 (Lingfield and East Grinstead
area)
Facilities to carry one wheelchair user and two other passengers.
Sunrise Taxis: 07787 532 840 (Mole
Valley District)
Facilities to carry two wheelchair users plus two seated passengers and luggage.
Local to Ashstead and Leatherhead, prices outside this area can be negotiated.
Taxi prices vary and may include a call out charge; if in doubt ask for an estimated cost of your journey before you travel.
Information on cycling and walking in Surrey can be found on the Surrey County Council website in the section 'Roads and transport'.
