Train travel difficulties

[Tina777]

I4 years on from a TBI, I am still trying and mostly failing , to be as independent as possible. I constantly, however, constantly experience difficulties with train travel. I live in Wales but the problems are not only with Transport for Wales (although they ofen are as I use them the most).

Station enquiry offices have all but disappeared anf finding a staff member is rare, especially at less busy stations.

I buy tickets online and store on my phone. Then the problems begin .....and usually end up with me, panic striken on a platform, having missed the train I needed.

The large information boards, change information far too quickly with no thought for those of us in society, who need more thinking time

I am usually only halfway down the list of names when the whole lot changes. Why is it not possible to have a series of 'Argos-type' screens that can be looked at, individually, at a suitable pace? Perhaps with the ability to increase font size and have audio also.

eTickets present problems in that they only tell me where I depart and where I get off. No information on the ultimate destination of the train, which is the detail necessary to get to the correct platform and train.

I have no idea why, when station staff are available to ask, I have often been signposted to the wrong platform!

The anxiety of finding out, too late, is off the scale.

I now try to ask two separate members of staff and if I receive differing answers, try to remedy it before setting off to the wrong platform.

A recent train journey from Cardiff to Rogerstone resulted in me missing a funeral. I was told the platform number to wait at, which required leaving the station, walking a short way outside and taking another entrance door back in. I waited at platform zero only to discover, with 3 minutes before departure, the train had been diverted to leave from another platform. I, nor others waiting, had not heard tannoy announcements as throughout the wait time, a huge diesel engine was on the track immediately in front of me with it's extremely loud engine running. If I had heard the announcement, I would not have found my way to the other platform in time. I returned to the ticket staff, sobbing, to be repeatedly told the change had been announced. I have had many such problems and fear they are getting worse.

[Hidden]

Hi Tina, have you tried the passenger assist app from national rail

nationalrail.co.uk/help-and...

There is also a web page on tfw

tfw.wales/help-and-contact/...

you should be able to request for someone to be at the station when you are boarding a train. They can either help you read the info, answer your questions or just make sure you get on the right train. You can make requests for every journey where people meet you at both ends on your way out and also on the return journey.

Not sure where you live in Wales but if you have any problems you should contact the MP for the Rhondda, Sir Chris Bryant, even if you are not from the Rhondda because he's a big hitter in parliament and chair of the cross party committee for acquired brain injuries. Companies offering public services are terrified of him and you will end up getting what you need. He's very approachable, he listens and gets things done, you can just contact him in the first instance on his Facebook page

facebook.com/search/top?q=c...

I've contacted him on Facebook (I'm from Gwynedd not the Rhondda) and either he or one of his team will help you or put you in touch with someone who can, so don't be afraid.

Hope that helps.

[Tina777 in reply to Hidden]

Wow! Thanks so much for this. I'm surprised I didn't know of it.- Just did a trial journey....like that it allowed me to choose level of assistance. Tbh, I don't help matters. I'm dead against against letting my issues known. Eg. Never carry the white stick. I find it defines me. If I'm traveling through very busy places, I'll carry the folded-up one in my bag & whip it out when necessary, otherwise

[Hidden in reply to Tina777]

I kind of understand that you don't want your issues known.

I think the other way around and get as much as I can get, whenever I can get it. It made life so much easier.

Happy travels.

Did you know that you can use a bus pass from Wales in Scotland and N. Ireland, you will have to check with England (tight gits) because they don't allow travel with a devolved bus pass (but they may do if you are over 67). It means you could go on holiday on the busses for free using the bus pass.

Do you also know that there are quite a few train services in Wales that you can get for free by using a bus pass. You will have to check which ones, it's mostly rural scenic services. Well worth a couple of free trips away.

Make the most of it and enjoy what you can. Yay 😀👍😜

[Tina777 in reply to Hidden]

You're a star - thanks! I'll get busy checking all the info!I'm aware and admire Chris Bryant, he's a passionate MP, unlike most! Didn't know he's chair of the cross party committee for ABIs though, I'll certainly keep him in mind for future support.

Wishing you a lovely evening x

[Hidden in reply to Tina777]

Oh, I recently posted about how to save money on broadband and water bills. You can save £400 - £500 per year if you are on benefits and/or some pension payments and it's easy to do. If you are not already on the discounted rates read the posts and let me know if you need help with it.

[Ideogram]

Sorry you're struggling with this. I really sympathise - I find train travel exhausting, not to mention inordinately expensive.

Can you see destinations when you book your ticket?

I'm afraid I have little else to suggest in the way of help, but I share your frustration with the state of our public infrastructure for anyone disabled.

Aside from cost, for me it's more an issue of handling the noise on trains (far too many people playing music or kids' TV programmes out loud!) and the anxiety of whether you'll get a seat (I don't always know exactly when I'll be travelling so can't book a seat, and really don't like the idea of having to turf someone else out of a priority seat. I don't look 'disabled' so how do I know if they are?).

It would be great if we could improve the assistance function at stations. My experience may be out of date, but I understood this only works if you pre-book, and maybe not if your train's delayed - so it might work for occasional journeys, but not for the model where disabled people actually travel independently without notice - like ableminded people!

It would also be great if the eligibility for disabled rail passes could be extended - my (very able) mother gets a third off for being 65, despite being perfectly able to drive; while I don't begrudge her that, I definitely can't drive at present but don't qualify as disabled. The prices are absolutely insane.

I appreciate none of this is likely to happen, but we can still dream.

Best of luck.

[Justafall]

I agree wholeheartedly with this. Infact train travel became too challenging for me - even when wearing my sunflower lanyard - so I now travel by National Express when I can.

I couldn’t process the information available on the platform or central boards and I too was sent to a different platform only to be told we had to go back again after getting there - hauling my case up and down flights of stairs. I was helped by another passenger with my case who saw my struggle. I was really grateful but internally I was distressed as my life hadn’t always been like this.

Anyway I empathise with you.

[Teazymaid]

I’m so sorry to hear this … I would be like you if I had to go on trains with different stations .. mine are local and I knew where to go pre TBI .. I wouldn’t be able to do what your trying to do as just reading your message put my anxiously levels up 🥴 .. I’m no expert on train lines but is there a person you can put in place while booking your ticket as u do know people with disabilities can get help … if this is the case you most definitely should ask for assistance as although our disabilities are invisible to others they are life changing for us ….sue x

[Tina777 in reply to Teazymaid]

Thanks Sue. As suggested by another poster, I'll try the MP, Chris Bryant. We just have to keep highlighting the issues, I guess.Best wishes

Tina

[Teazymaid]

yes definitely tell your mp as this all needs vocalising and hopefully one day they will be listened too Sue x