New report outlines which buses, trains and trams allow mobility scooter access

Published March 25, 2014

which mobility scooter bus tram train uk

The Minimo, from TGA Mobility, is one of the scooters suitable for use on public transport

With more than 300,000 mobility scooters in the UK, more scooters are now allowed on public transport. But knowing which scooter can go on which local bus, train or tram is not so easy.

Now an online search produced by Rica (an independent consumer research charity) can help.

Buses

Scooter users are allowed on the bus if all of the following apply:

The local bus company is running a scooter permit scheme
The scooter is a Class 2 type and has maximum dimensions of 600mm wide and 1000mm long and a turning radius of no more than 1200mm
The bus company has assessed you in safely using your scooter on the bus.

The current list of bus companies with permit schemes are:

Arriva
Blackpool Transport Services Ltd
Bluestar
Centrebus
Country Bus
Firstgroup
Ipswich Buses
Metrobus
National Express
Nottingham City Transport
Prentice Coaches Ltd
Quality Line
Reading Transport Ltd
Safeguard
Southern Vectis
Stagecoach
Thamesdown Transport
theSussexBus.com
Transdev Blazefield
trentbarton
Western Greyhound
Wilts and Dorset
Yellow Buses

Trains and trams

Rica also has a list of which scooters can be taken on trains and trams PLUS a free print guide called Public transport: a guide for older and disabled people. The guide covers access on coaches, ferries, travel in London, planes and taxis for deaf, disabled and older people.

The Rica guide is available online and free of charge in print and audio-cd. For a print copy, send a large (A4) self-addressed envelope with £1.10 in stamps to: Rica, G03 The Wenlock, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU. Tel: 020 7427 2460.

Click here to read the code of practice.