Wales Council of the Blind

Wales Council of the Blind logo Wales Council of the Blind logo

Transport for Wales - Confidence to Travel Scheme

The Transport for Wales (TfW) 'Confidence to Travel' Initiative, which is funded by Welsh Government, is offering groups/organisations representing people who face barriers to rail travel, for example as a result of disability, the opportunity to boost the confidence of the people they represent in using the rail network, therefore improving their overall health and wellbeing.

The scheme usually entails an initial informal talk with the group to cover the categories listed below, followed by a trip on a train but can be adapted to suit the individual needs of organisations:

  • Understand the barriers people face with regards to train travel
  • Plan a journey, using the Travel APP/website, explore the Journey checker, booking a ticket etc
  • Assisted travel scheme
  • Visit a train station
  • Undertake a purposeful train journey
TfW can arrange a familiarisation journey for up to 12 people at a time, which will be organised and accompanied in Cardiff and the valleys by the Community Rail Ambassador for Transport for Wales (they also ask for a representative of the organisation to accompany them). The group normally meets at a pre-agreed station, then travel for up to an hour – for example from Cardiff to Barry Island - and the journey is complimentary. During the journey, participants will be shown around the station so that they can see facilities such as ticket vending machines, customer information screens, timetable posters and where they exist, ticket offices and lifts. They will also have the opportunity to meet on-train, station staff and British Transport Police.

On arrival at the destination, participants are normally taken for a drink/cake at a local café and are given the time to ask any questions. For example, in Southeast Wales, you could visit Cardiff Bay, Penarth, Barry Island or anywhere of benefit to the group, where you can go on short circular walks, which are also wheelchair user friendly. The journeys are available Monday to Friday outside the peak times, so after 09.30 and completed before 15.00. TfW trains have two dedicated spaces for wheelchair users and every train has an access ramp on board. Further information about the scheme can be found here.

If you think this is something that your organisation would benefit from, please get in touch with Clare Harries, Community Rail Ambassador, Trafnidiaeth Cymru / Transport for Wales, via 03333 211 202 (From 08:00 - 20:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:00 - 20:00 Sunday except 25 and 26 December) or email community@tfw.wales.

Posted on the 31st of January 2025