Travel Concessions
Rail Travel
Information is correct at the time of writing but is liable to change.
Disabled Person’s Railcard
If you are vision impaired, and can produce evidence of this (for example, a Certificate of Visual Impairment), you can apply for a Disabled Person’s Railcard, which allows you to get 1/3rd off most rail
fares throughout Great Britain. There is a charge of £20 for a one-year card, or you can get a three-year card for £54. You can find out more and apply online here: https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/ .
You can also download an application form here: https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/help/application-forms/
You will then need to complete and return this application, along with the required proof of disability and payment to:
National RailcardsPO Box 10776, Ashby-de-la-Zouch LE65 9FA
Concessionary discounts
If you are blind or partially sighted and don’t have a Disabled Persons Railcard and are traveling with a companion, the following concessionary discounts apply for both you and your companion. You cannot receive this discount if you are travelling on your own. The discount applies to adult fares only. In order to receive the discount, you will be required to present evidence of your vision impairment, such as your Certificate of Visual Impairment. The tickets can only be purchase from a staffed National Rail station ticket office and on the train.
- First or Standard Class anytime single or return tickets – 34% discount
- First or Standard Class anytime day single – 34% discount
- First or Standard Class anytime day return – 50% discountSeason ticketsIf you are blind or vision impaired you can also purchase a Season ticket, enabling you and a companion to travel on National Rail services only at no extra cost. The tickets can be bought from staffed National Rail station ticket offices.
Assisted Travel
If you require assistance on your train journey, you can book this service via the following methods:
Transport for Wales Passenger Assist team:
Phone: 03330 050 501Text relay service: 18001 03330 050 501
National Rail:
Phone: 03457 48 49 50 or 0800 022 3720Text Direct: 0345 60 50 600 (for people who are hard of hearing or deaf)
Bus Travel
Disabled Bus Pass
If you are eligible for a Disabled Bus Pass, you can travel for free on most bus services in Wales and the boarders and get discounted or free travel on many rail services. For further information contact Transport for Wales on 03333 211 202.
You can apply for your Disabled Bus Pass via the Transport for Wales website at www.tfw.wales and some local authority hubs. Contact your local authority for further information. If you require a paper application form, please call 0300 303 4240.
Companion Cards
If you require assistance from another person when travelling for some or all of your journeys, you can apply for a companion card that provides free travel for one person accompanying you.
If you require a companion card, you’ll need to contact your local council who will assess whether you meet the criteria and process your application.
[source: Transport for Wales website]
Taxi Schemes
Your local authority might offer a scheme to help with taxi costs if you have a disability. However, the schemes can vary.
Contact your local authority to find out whether they offer a taxi scheme and whether you would be eligible.
Patient Transport
Eligible patients can arrange free transport to non-emergency medical appointments at clinics, hospitals and day centres with the Welsh Ambulance Service.
To find out if you are eligible and to book your transport, please contact the Welsh Ambulance Service on 0300 123 2303.
This article first appeared in WCB Roundup 40, 2022.