Seat bookings for disability reasons

[wonkotsane]

New member so please be gentle with me. I'm after some advice on the best way to get suitable seat bookings for reasons of disability.

I don't have a blue badge or claim PIP but I do have a disability as described in legislation. I've had chronic arthritis in both my knees since my teens and had one knee replaced a few years ago. My seating needs are legroom so either a table seat or a priority seat. The regular seats don't offer enough legroom (I'm 6'1") and if my knees are pressed up against the seat in front or I can't move my legs regularly, stretching and bending, it's agony and can impact on my ability to walk.

What I usually do is book my tickets and then make a request through passenger assistance for them to change my seat allocation. Sometimes I book assistance depending on my mobility at the time, sometimes I just need the seat allocation. Passenger assistance isn't really geared to just changing seat allocations and I invariably end up being greeted at a station by someone with a wheelchair when that's not what I need.

What is the best way for me to book tickets and get the type of seat I need reserved?

P.S. if you're a passenger assistance person thank you for doing what you do, it really makes a difference

 

[Tetchytyke]

If you are using an operator/retailer which doesn’t give you a seat-selector on their website, if you contract their customer services they will usually be able to do it for you. TPE, as an example, will do it for you through Facebook Messenger, usually takes them a few minutes.

 

[wonkotsane]

If you are using an operator/retailer which doesn’t give you a seat-selector on their website, if you contract their customer services they will usually be able to do it for you. TPE, as an example, will do it for you through Facebook Messenger, usually takes them a few minutes.

You get seat preferences but you don't always get what you ask for. I usually book through Trainline rather than an operator. My usual train journeys are to London and there's no direct train and no seat reservations on the first leg of the journey (Wellington to Birmingham). Is the answer to do it through an operator rather than Trainline and do it through customer services rather than online booking?

 

[Tetchytyke]

Is the answer to do it through an operator rather than Trainline and do it through customer services rather than online booking?

If the seat you're allocated from Birmingham to Euston isn't right for you, if you contact Avanti customer services once you've purchased your ticket they should be able to change the seat for you. I'm less familiar with Avanti, but TPE (same owners) will happily change it through Facebook Messenger.

There isn't anything you can do about any unreservable legs.

 

[lkpridgeon]

You should be able to specify if you book passenger assistance what your exact needs are if booking through the app. You can also book over the phone and get them to setup a mod detailed profile that's generally passed on to the staff on the ground. You have to explicitly state your needs otherwise they make assumptions. When making future bookings they will in turn allocate you a priority seat (this can be explicitly requested via the app).

Otherwise, call the retailer or train operator and either of these can also book a seat for you where available even if you don't have a ticket yet.

 

[wonkotsane]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks for the advice.

I think most train operators also have dedicated phone numbers for passenger assistance - which if you prefer to speak to someone you could use (feel free to ask on here if you don't know who will operate the train(s) on the route you plan to use).

I don't think you need to be registered disabled or in receipt of relevant benefits to get such assistance with bookings, if you feel you need it to travel

You probably knew this already but in case not - Train operators should also publish relevant info on their websites which may or may not be helpful

eg west mids Railway relevant material seems to be here

Passenger Assist and accessibility

Need assistance when travelling? We are here to help. Book assisted travel and find out more useful information to help you travel more comfortably with us.

www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk

 

[wonkotsane]

I've called before to arrange things and they're all lovely, helpful people but it can take such a long time for them to figure out how to do what I'm asking and I feel bad taking up all that time when there must be more efficient ways of doing it.

 

[WesternLancer]

I've called before to arrange things and they're all lovely, helpful people but it can take such a long time for them to figure out how to do what I'm asking and I feel bad taking up all that time when there must be more efficient ways of doing it.

That's a shame - tho you make a good point! people here can give good advice - esp if you detail the train company you are using or indeed where best to book through that gives you the chance to select the best seats for your needs.

Some train companies publish decent seating plans of their carriages which show the table seats and the priority seats with more leg room. People here often know what type of train is on what service.

Though I expect you would favour a good general booking site that means you can simply use the best thing every time, whatever the trip.

 

[djw]

I've called before to arrange things and they're all lovely, helpful people but it can take such a long time for them to figure out how to do what I'm asking and I feel bad taking up all that time when there must be more efficient ways of doing it.

There is the option of using the Passenger Assistance website or app.