Public and Community Transport

Travelling by train

When planning a journey by train, the National Rail website (opens in new window) will have lots of useful information for passengers with disabilities. This includes a journey planner, which will tell you the name of the train company you will be travelling with so you are able to book any assistance you need. The website has a guide regarding the accessibility of every station in the country.

Disabled Access

Most rail stations across the West Midlands are accessible to everyone. At some stations staff are available to offer assistance. At smaller unstaffed stations on-train staff are able to offer assistance for people who may need help boarding or leaving the train. Ramps are always available if needed to help people on and off trains.

You can find information about purchasing a Disabled Persons Pass here (opens in new window).

Accessible Travel

West Midlands Railway (opens in new window) offer accessible travel, accessible priority seating, Travel Support Cards and booking assistance.

Travelling by bus or tram

You can use the Transport for West Midlands website to plan a journey. The journey planner will provide you with information on routes and times for all travel in the West Midlands. Sometimes there are changes to bus routes due to roadworks and diversions. The website will show which routes are affected.

Assistance available

For national information on practical and financial assistance with public transport that may be available to people who are aged 60 or over or who are disabled Age UK have published a factsheet on public transport and concessions (opens in new window).

Travelling by coach

For information on travelling by coach, visit the National Express Coaches website (opens in new window).

Ring and Ride (opens in new window) is a service provides accessible, low cost transport to disabled people and people with walking difficulties. If you qualify, once registered you can book a Ring & Ride accessible minibus to take you, children and an accompanying adult, door to door for local short journeys across the West Midlands urban area.

The service operates Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 23:00hrs and also on a Sunday between 08:00 and 15:30hrs.

Trips need to be booked the day before you wish to travel (except on Bank Holidays).

The Birmingham area is split into three operating zones - East Birmingham/Solihull, North Birmingham and South Birmingham.

To register to use Ring and Ride, please use their online registration form.

To book, call their telephone booking number on 0330 053 8141 or user their online request form.