We’ve spent a bit of time in London over the years; internships as students, visits when Quinns was a baby in his buggy and more recently while he was in hospital there for two months. We felt relatively at ease navigating our way around by train, underground and bus. Our most recent visit for a hospital appointment was the first time we’ve attempted it with Quinns in his wheelchair. We learned some very valuable lessons.
There were no issues with our first two tube stations as they both had ‘Step free access from street to train’ which meant we could easily get Quinns’ wheelchair on and off the train but also that we could enter and exit the stations. We began learning to navigate the complex lift system that took us between all the different levels. Although we’ve never noticed it before there was ample signage to help.
We should have spent more time getting to know which stations had step free access as we reached one station where although we managed to get off the train easily enough there was no way to exit the station. Frustratingly the nearest accessible stop to where we wanted to go was two stops along the route in either direction.
After having to go two stops further than our destination we changed to bus travel to get back. Although the first bus had no problem letting us on, the driver did tell us off for all having used the wheelchair ramp. He explained to Dad that ‘ we could have broken the ramp’.
We learned our lesson for the second bus. So while I stayed with Quinns and requested the ramp, Dad and Big Sister got on the front of the bus and paid. However, that bus driver decided that Quinns was only in a buggy therefore did not deploy the wheelchair ramp leaving Quinns and me on the pavement in the rain as he drove off with Dad and Big Sister inside!
We met up soggy and annoyed at the next bus stop after Dad had given the bus driver a piece of his mind. On the third attempt we all made it onto the bus but only after Dad had persuaded this driver that Quinns was in a support buggy which should be treated as a wheelchair.
We finally reached London’s King Cross Train station but having had no idea how long it would take to cross London we left booking train tickets till the last minute. We arrived 20 minutes earlier than the departure time of our train only to get a lecture about not having booked assistance because the ramp is the responsibility of station staff not train staff.
Regardless of who put the ramp out we found ourselves in the First Class carriage of the train having all been upgraded due to the position of the wheelchair space. We very gratefully received all the snacks and drinks that were on offer nearly four hours after deciding to leave London.
Learning new systems and finding out the best ways to travel as a wheelchair user is one thing but never knowing whether you’ll be left in the rain by the bus or pampered in First Class is utterly exhausting and frustrating. I’m very glad of our little team as we navigated a barrier filled (both physical and societal) transport system together.
Quinns, trains & changing places 