JanineCars are a vital part of life for many people, not just because they look fantastic and go vroom, but because they’re an essential service for getting from A to B, whether that’s for childcare, medical appointments, work or shopping. Unfortunately, sometimes, life gets in the way, and driving is no longer an option. This can make life very difficult if you rely on the car.
The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre in Rodley is working with Driving Mobility and Department for Transport to offer the Leeds Accessible Travel Support service. We spoke to Aniqa Mirza, (Travel Hub Co-ordinator Leeds), to find out more about the service and how they are supporting people.
There are some open days coming up if you want to find out more:
· Wednesday 20th September 2023, 9am-3pm
· Thursday 9th November 2023, 9am-3pm
Or visit their site at https://wmdlc.org/services/hubs/
How did the going car-free scheme come about? Is it a local one, or national as well?
The Accessible Travel Support service was established in 2022 and was previously referred to as Hubs Mobility Service. The project changed its name and was redesigned and relaunched earlier this year by Driving Mobility (DM) and Department for Transport (DfT) to make it easily recognisable by individuals of what the service offers, which is a Free and impartial, personalised, accessible travel guidance service to meet their individual travel needs.
The project is delivered nationally across 15 areas in the UK and has a total of 52 Local Hub Centres. The website hubsmobilityadvice.com/hubs/ has a complete list of Local Hub Centres to which clients can self-refer or be referred by a support organisation.
The project is designed to support clients with Hidden or Visible Disabilities, to access alternative modes of transport to driving.
The Local Hub Centres across the UK work with individuals on a 1:1 that have never driven a car and do not wish to drive and would like support to access public transport options Locally, Nationally or Internationally.
Also, the project supports clients that have either self-referred or been referred by DVLA due to a Physical or Cognitive medical condition to attend a Car Assessment. Suppose the outcome is that the individual is no longer safe to drive. In that case, the Accessible Travel Support service gives them a few weeks to process the information before reaching out and discussing what options for support are available and how they would like to engage with the service.
The project is supported by Driving Mobility (DM), funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by a wide range of Driving Assessment Centres across the UK. William Merritt Centre offers the Leeds Accessible Travel Support service.
What kind of tips and support can you give people needing or wanting to become car-free?
The support offered is bespoke to each individual. An individual Journey Plan is created, and research is conducted into the specific single-mode or multi-model journey an individual would like to access. For example, an individual may request Community Transport support in their local area to regularly attend Supermarkets, Community Groups or Places of worship.
Another example may be that an individual is travelling for the first time via aeroplane with a mobility scooter and requires Passenger Assistance for the entire journey from departure to arrival. I would research how they could access the Passenger Restricted Mobility (PRM) service at an airport, what the requirements are for them to travel with Manual or Electrical Mobility Equipment and what the support travel arrangements will be when they arrive at their destination.
Are there any car share schemes that carers could be part of?
Each area across the UK with a Local Hub Centre will be able to research locally what specific Car Share Schemes are available. In West Yorkshire, an organisation named wycarshare.com enables individuals to connect to a local community group in their area to access the car share service.
Also, in terms of accessible travel, West Yorkshire Metro offers a Companion Pass service to travellers with a carer or someone who needs to travel with them at all times. Further details can be accessed from https://www.wymetro.com/tickets-passes/blind-disabled/benefits/
Any quotes from people who have used the service?
“I did not know this service was available. Now that I have accessed it, I am able to travel independently, whereas before, I was at home waiting for someone to take me shopping or to appointments”.
“I have been driving for so long, and now that I am no longer able to drive due to my medical condition, the support to access alternatives to driving has been a lifeline”.
“It is great to know that I can travel with mobility equipment on public transport and how to make the arrangements prior to travel”.
What are the challenges of going car-free?
Individual feedback on some of the challenges encountered in using public transport has been;
“Buses do not come frequently, and the seating area has been removed, and Bus Timetables have been replaced with a digital screen which is not always working”.
“I have previously booked a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) taxi, and the service received has not been what was described on the phone when it was booked”.
“Passenger Assistance Service at the train station has not been as described when service was booked”.
How have people described the advantages?
The consensus of advantages from individuals that have accessed the Accessible Travel Support service has been beneficial to all. For many, it has alleviated isolation, and they can continue to enjoy their daily activities and socialise with family/friends more as they have the flexibility to travel independently.
What do people need to make going car-free as easy as possible ( i.e. better transport systems- are there any current campaigns to help this? Could we signpost people to Leeds Older People’s Forum?
Within the Accessible Travel Support service, we are finding that feedback on the accessibility of public transport for individuals with Hidden or Visible Disabilities is the key to implementing changes, both at a Local Community Level and on a Wider Geographical Level.
I have previously liaised with Tracy Lenihan (LOPF), who attended the recent Transport Group Meeting at Bangladesh Centre. It was an excellent opportunity to offer a community group last year in November to visit the White Rose Shopping Centre via LOPF Community Transport to attend a Transport Meeting and be able to hire from William Merritt Centre ShopMobility UK at White Rose manual or electrical mobility equipment to travel independently around the shopping centre.
If people in East Leeds can’t easily get to you, could you visit groups here or speak with them by telephone?
The project has the opportunity to offer outreach support to Groups, and I am happy to visit the groups within a community setting. Alternatively, if individuals prefer, I am also able to provide telephone-based support. Information can be emailed or posted to individuals in a format that is accessible to them.
