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Transport Help

As well as travel training and the travel buddy scheme for young people there is a wide range of travel and transport support across London.

If you receive mobility component of DLA and some categories of PIP you may be eligible for the Motability scheme

Travel/Transport assistance for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities

School travel Assistance

Councils are required to make suitable free travel arrangements for eligible children to enable them to attend school. We only provide travel assistance to children of compulsory school age (reception upwards).

Free travel for eligible children does not mean that the transport must be arranged by the Council if “suitable” transport has already been arranged by others. It is expected that the provision of free bus services by Transport for London (TfL) will meet the need for travel assistance in almost all cases.

The council’s approach to providing travel assistance is to promote independence and allow children and young people to reach their full potential and Independent Travel Training (ITT) contributes toward this.

The full policy and application process can be found on the council website.

Support offered by Transport for London (TFL) & Rail

16+ Zip Oyster Photocard

Students aged between 16 to 18, and those still 18 by 31st August, before the relevant academic year, and in full time education are entitled to free travel on local buses and trams however they will need to apply for an 16+ Oyster Card to take advantage of this scheme.
Details on how to apply for a 16+ Oyster card are available on the TfL website.

18+ Oyster Photocard

Students aged 18 or over who live at a London address during term time, are in full-time education, i.e. enrolled on a course at a registered establishment such as West Thames College, or are on a mandatory work placement in London, may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard.
The 18+ Oyster photocard will enable students to a 30 per cent discount off adult rated Travelcards and Bus or Tram Pass season tickets.
Details on how to apply for an 18+ Oystercard are available on the TfL website:
Apprentice Oyster Photocard
With an Apprentice Oyster photocard young people aged 18 or above in an approved apprenticeship can get 30 per cent off the price of adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets.
Further details on the scheme and how to apply for an Apprentice Oyster Photocard can be obtained by visiting the following website: Apprentice Oyster Card
Young Person’s Railcard
The young person’s railcard is available to students aged 16-25 or over 26 and in full time education.
Further details on the scheme and how to apply for a Young Person’s Railcard can be obtained by visiting the following website: www.16-25railcard.co.uk

Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass

Freedom Pass

The Disabled persons freedom pass allows free travel across London and free bus travel nationally.

The full information including eligibility and how to apply is on the London Councils website

Autism Passport

Carrying the small A5 sized passport will alert officers that the person may have communication issues - For information regarding Autism Passport or Autism Card, please visit the following website:

https://fsd.hounslow.gov.uk/SynergyWeb/Local_Offer/Autism_Passport.aspx

Taxicard and Dial-a-ride

Taxicard is a scheme that provides subsidised transport for people who have serious mobility impairment and difficulty in using public transport. Taxicard holders make journeys in licensed London taxis and private hire vehicles, and the subsidy applies directly to each trip.

The London Taxicard Scheme is funded by the participating London boroughs and the Mayor of London. London Councils Transport and Environment Committee manage the London Taxicard Scheme on their behalf.

Your Taxicard can be used anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, subject to taxi and private hire vehicle availability.
For more information on the London Taxicard scheme, please follow this link: www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/taxicard

Dial a ride
Is a accessible shared door to door service - that you can book in advance. You need to become a member .
You are eligible if you receive High rate mobility DLA

Help from College 16+

If you are attending college too far for daily travel or attending residential college information about the support available can be found at the GOV.UK website.

Apprentices or non-employed Programme Led Apprentices can apply to their learning provider for reasonable expenses where these are a barrier to learning, from the Additional Learner Support allocation.
What financial help can you get from local College?
You may be entitled to financial support during your studies from local college. The following colleges are based around Hounslow please visit their website for details of support available:
Visit West-Thames College www.west-thames.ac.uk/help-and-support
Visit Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College www.wlc.ac.uk/student-life/financial-support

TFL accessibility

'Please offer me a seat' is a scheme from TFL
Many of our customers, particularly disabled people and those with invisible impairments, conditions or illnesses, find it difficult to get a seat. Our free 'Please offer me a seat' badge and card makes it easier to let other passengers know that you need a seat.- you can request an application pack online or call 0343 222 1234

TFL Accessibility

There is lots of information on the TFL website including step free maps and journey planners and the travel support card which can help people communicate any assistance or information requirements they have with staff. You can use it on any of TFL services.

Freedom Passes

Available to the disabled over 5 years old Freedom Passes and enable permanent residents of the London boroughs to travel free on Transport for London’s public network, which includes buses, the tube, trains, Docklands Light Railway and trams, and with discounts on some Thames River Boat services.
The full details and application for can be found here: Disabled persons freedom pass applications

Transport for all - advice service

There are many ways in which our Accessible Transport Advice Team can help you:
Whether you are looking for advice regarding accessible transport in London, want to make a complaint, or want to tell us about transport in your area, we can help you. The support we provide is free of charge and impartial.
How to contact us
Our lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.
Tel: 020 7737 2339 (option1)
Text: 07984 755 894
Address: Transport for All, 336 Brixton Rd, London SW9 7AA

Blue Badge and dropped curb

Blue Badge

The options for disabled children

The Blue Badge Parking Scheme, which is run by Hounslow Council, allows people, including parents of children with a disability, additional parking rights.
You can apply for a blue badge for a child and young person if they have difficulty with travelling to see the full criteria.
Alternatively some parents may be able to apply for Discretionary Eligibility depending on the age of their child.

Child aged over 3

If your child is over 3 years old and you do not receive high rate mobility allowance you may be able to apply for a blue badge but it is possible your child will be required to attend a mobility assessment or require documents from health professionals.

Child aged under 3

If your child is under three years old, you may also be eligible for Discretionary Eligibility if your child:
has a condition that requires that the must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty
has a condition that required that they must always be near a car or other motor vehicle so that they can be treated if necessary for that condition in the vehicle or be taken quickly to a place where they can be treated
In either case, you can apply online and find out more information through the Hounslow Council website.
or the Government website

Disabled Bay Parking

If you have a blue badge then you maybe able to apply for a disabled parking bay - For further information, please visit the following website: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20052/parking/1099/blue_badge_and_disabled_parking_bays

National travel schemes

Motability

The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to get mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair. They also help with wheelchair accessible vehicles including grants towards the cost if you are eligible. See the website for full details.
Train travel
The Disabled Person’s Railcard costs £20 for one year and £54 for three years, and offers a third off most standard and first-class fares throughout the country for an individual and one other. For detailed information and support, here
You can also see how to access Passenger assistance when travelling by train.

Useful Links

You may also find the following websites useful: Disabled Go and Wheelchair service
RADAR KEY
The National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country

Hounslow Parent Carer Forum (Opens in New Window)

link to Hounslow Parent Carers Forum website

Mainstream Inclusion Partnership

The logo for the Mainstream Inclusion Partnership (MIP)

SEND Youth Forum

SEND Surgeries: Drop-In Sessions

Documents, Terminology & Useful Links

Translation, Accessibility & Search

SENDIASS

SENDIASS Logo

Worried about a child? (Opens in New Window)

Make a Complaint (Opens in New Window)