Transport is a big issue for many disabled people – while city centres are becoming more pedestrianised, this does not always mean that all the disabled people’s parking is retained.

Schemes like ShopMobility have helped some disabled people with their city centre transport needs. At the same time, while more public transport is becoming more accessible, services can be patchy.

The Disability Discrimination Act does not require all buses and trains to be accessible until 2015-2019

Cycling

Bicycles can be parked around Wolverhampton city centre in the following places: Queen Square, Dudley Street, Victoria Street, Cleveland st., St. Peter's Square, Wolverhampton Central Metro stop, and Wolverhampton Train Station, Wolverhampton Bus Station.
The cycle route around Wolverhampton, although patchy, has been extended; you can get a council map of the Wolverhampton cycle route at the Tourist Information Centre in Queen Square, or by ringing (01902) 555732,or download one here>

Cityshop info at the beginning of Victoria Street (opposite Beatties)l has accessible toilet and shower free to use for disabled people. First time users may be asked for proof of impairment such as blue badge copy.
The usage times are 9-4, Monday to Saturday.

You can find out other cycling information from the council here>>

For information about accessible cycling, check out the Leisure section of the Directory here>

Motorcycles

The National Association of Bikers with a Disability (NABD) help to adapt motorcycles, trikes, and sidecars so that they can be ridden by disabled people.
They also offer grants for bike adaptations, signpost training, produce a quarterly magazine for members, and host events for their members around the country. You can visit their website here>>
N.A.B.D.Unit 20,The Bridgewater Centre, Robson Avenue, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TE 

 

Tel/Fax: 0870 759 0603

Accessible Taxis

All Black Cab taxi firms now have wheelchair accessible taxis, and ramps as standard equipment. However,these are not suitable for some people with high electric wheelchairs.
If this is you, try Rainbow Cars, and ask for the TX1 Taxi. Rainbow Cars is on (01902) 311118
Other Black cab firms are: Albro (01902) 451111 more on taxis and disabled people>
All taxis and private hire firms should take assistance dogs like guide dogs – if a firm or driver refuses you remind them of their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act.
If service is still refused contact One Voice or the Disability Rights Commission for further advice.

Information for drivers

The Motobility Scheme is for people who receive higher rate DLA mobility.
You can use your DLA money to hire or buy a car or electric wheelchair.
To hire a car, you need to have at least 3 years Mobility Component left.
To buy a car on HP, you must have 2 years left. Contact: Motobility, Warwick House, Roydon Road, Harlow, Essex CM19 5PX 01279 635666

 

More information for drivers, including road tax and toll exemption, blue badge scheme, parking etc here>>

Ring & Ride

Ring and Ride is a door to door bus service for disabled people who cannot use the standard bus service. To use it you have to register with Ring and Ride. You also have to book each journey you want to make at least 2 days in advance – you will be given a specific time when you can ring up to book a journey. The service is oversubscribed, so you will not always get the journey you want. For more information visit the Ring and Ride website>>

One Voice has a representative on the Ring & Ride users' Group. If there is an issue you want brought up, contact us

Buses

Many of the bus routes run by National Express West Midlands have accessible buses some or most of the time, others do not. When we contacted them they were unable to say what bus routes had regular accessible buses, and informed us that it changes on a day-by-day basis. This makes it difficult for disabled people to use some of their services. Some services though like the Birmingham and Dudley buses always have accessible buses. You can get timetable and route information from any bus station, or from their website>>

More information on buses, such as plans for the new bus station, the disabled people's bus pass etc here>

Trains & Trams

Information on Wolverhampton Train Station, train journeys, rail cards, access, metro stops and tickets here>

Planes

Booking flights and holidays, and facilities at UK airports are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) – this includes the airport check-in, flight lounge, and access to the concourse. These areas should be accessible to a disabled person, and where they are not, reasonable adjustments should be made – such as providing a wheelchair for you to travel across the airport site from check-in to boarding.

You should not be charged for these reasonable adjustments.
Air Travel is not covered by the DDA, but there is a voluntary code of practice that all the major carriers have signed up to, which sets out the kind of service and facilities disabled people can expect on an aeroplane.
The code of practice includes things like help getting to the toilet, help with reading menus etc.
You can download a copy of the code of practice at the Department of Transport website>>

There is now a European Regulation(EC 1107/2006) on disabled people's access to flying that applies to flights within the European Union. The regulation states that no disabled person shall be refused carriage on a commercial flight that starts or finishes in the European Community on the basis of disability or reduced impairment, subject to legitimate considerations of air safety. There are several cases being taken to Court at the moment to help define the limits of 'legitimate considerations of air safety'.

 

The DPTAC produces a leaflet on access to flying for disabled people, you can download it here>>>

The Equality & Human Rights Commission have a rights to fly leaflet, which you can download from their website>>