Whether you prefer to travel by car or use public transport, as a disabled person you might qualify for a range of schemes designed to help with leasing a vehicle, parking, or offering free or discounted travel on trains, buses and coaches.
- Motability Scheme
- Blue Badge Scheme
- Car tax exemption
- Buses
- Trains
- Coaches
- Community transport
- Travelling in London
Motability Scheme
The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, mobility scooter or powered wheelchair.
You might be eligible to join the Motability Scheme if you get certain disability benefits.
Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme provides a range of parking benefits for disabled people who have difficulty walking.
For example, you can park for free in pay-and-display bays and also on double and single yellow lines.
Car tax exemption
If you’re getting certain disability benefits you are exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax, or road tax).
If you’re on the Motability Scheme you don’t need to do anything.
If you own your car you have to apply for the exemption.
Buses
Free bus passes
Depending on where in the UK you live, you might be entitled to free or discounted bus travel.
Find out more about bus passes and other travel concessions where you live by following the links below:
Trains
Disabled Persons Railcard
The Disabled Persons Railcard gives you a third off most rail fares.
The discount is for two people – so you can save money for a friend or a carer too.
You have to buy the railcard but it can pay for itself after just one journey.
There’s lots of assistance available when travelling by train – including help getting on and off the train and help with luggage – all free of charge.
Coaches
There is no national concessions scheme for coach travel.
However discounted travel is available depending on which coach company you’re using.
National Express
National Express sells a Disabled Coach Card that gives a third off their standard fares.
City Link (Scotland)
You can get free travel if you use your National Entitlement Card on City Link coaches.
Goldline (Northern Ireland)
You can get half price travel if you use your SmartPass on Goldline coaches.
Community transport
Community transport (which is sometimes called ‘Dial a ride’ or ‘Ring and ride’) is usually run by local authorities and can be a good alternative to taxis or public transport.
Travelling in London
Disabled Persons Freedom Pass
A Disabled Persons Freedom Pass will give you:
- Free 24-hour travel across Transport for London’s networks (except for some river boats which are half price)
- Free train travel on the London Overground network (however, you might not be able to travel before 9.30am)
London Taxicard Scheme
The London Taxicard Scheme gives subsidised taxis for disabled people who find using public transport difficult.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.
