Accessible Rail Journeys in 2020

[@geofftech2]

The temptation to call this video "The only way is Step Free Essex" was overwhelming, but common sense ultimately prevailed when I remembered that Sudbury is in Suffolk. But i want you to know that I considered it ...

[@43TH3R5T4R]

Congrats on 20K Geoff

[@creativedlc]

I'm quite glad you didn't....!

[@danielangelov5070]

@@creativedlc thanks will GA will run with the class 720 trains

[@creativedlc]

@@danielangelov5070 I'm not sure how you mean sorry?

[@EarlyAccessOFFICIAL]

Have you seen the class 720s yet

[@coach53yt]

Guys, I'm non-disabled, so really appreciated the education on accessibility you provided. Thanks.

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

Except of course that the video DOESN'T educate anyone about the deadly SERIOUS NEED for QUIET segregation, NOT all open ONLY! Some disabled folk like me NEED quiet, proper quiet, not just a mere "figure of speech"!

[@coach53yt]

@@majorpygge-phartt2643 Thanks for adding your point. I know that there is much I don't know about accessible transportation and am always grateful to be taught more. I never thought about quiet issue before, even though I know a man who has an autism spectrum disorder, and needs as much quiet as he can get to remain calm and peaceful (a right we all have).Hopefully, better education will improve my understanding of the needs of all people and to advocate for changes and improvements as I learn of such needs. Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

[@majorpygge-phartt2643]

@@coach53yt At last a remotely positive response from someone. No-one involved in passenger transport design EVER thinks about anyone like me, instead they're far too often just grossly ignorant and don't want to know when I fully justifiably complain. There's far too much of a widespread attitude of casually "playing down" and trivialising the absolutely APPALLING problems faced by folk like me, and no way am I a "one off", no chance, those in authority have absolutely NO IDEA of how brutally severe it is for those like me, and there's far too much propaganda being spread about that the new all open trains are somehow "fully inclusive" which is absolute insanity, honestly it makes me feel just like furiously swearing. Perhaps it's time I got my nice big powerful megaphone out and went down to the local mp's office and gave her some stick seeing as she absolutely will not answer ANY of my letters or emails, no matter HOW polite and civilised I am or what the subject. There's far too much blatant widespread ignorance around folk like me and far too much obsession with forced integration and "fit in or get lost" etc.

[@thisis_mudchute]

@@majorpygge-phartt2643if your disability was very common, fine. but it isnt, and its not all about you. the quiet coach exists, its not the single best thing in the world but it works. additionally, you should know its not geoff's fault, @coaxh53yt's fault (creator of this comment) or my fault, so dont blame any of us please

[@quzofrommycoke]

Should have mentioned Dominic's see-through masks are to help people with lip reading (as ordinary masks block view of the mouth)

[@geofftech2]

excellent point, yes!!

[@rileyludlow961]

Yea that's a good point.

[@Locutus]

I actually found him more difficult to understand with that mask on, compared to his other masks.

[@creativedlc]

They do... Then mine fell off on the floor and I didn't have a spare! So annoyed at myself.

[@temslink2000]

where does one procure one these masks? even tho as far as i know im not deaf working in a loud kitchen i wish we all had these!

[@meandwhoism]

you know its a TRUE secret when you tell GEOFF of all people something cool about a train!

[@NeoDerGrose]

I'm a rail professional myself and I considered myself to by all about accessibility, but I never thought about the shape of words being important. I will take it in account when ordering the next trains.

[@creativedlc]

If you want to know more, do reach out to me on LinkedIn.

[@ktmgordo]

I used to work in public transport and one of my jobs was programming bus destination displays. I made sure they were in mixed-case as it’s much easier to read than all-caps. I’m dyslexic and it really does make a difference. Same with a bank card PIN: some people can learn the pattern on the keypad more easily than the actual digits.

[@calmeilles]

Most people while learning to read progress from picking out letters to word shapes and partial phrase shapes, even sometimes whole phrases. Unfamiliar forms force us back to letter picking and so slow down comprehension even for the fully sighted. Even slight diminution of visual acuity can make that considerably more difficult and reduce unconventional signage to ilegibility.

[@sueramsey8181]

Excellent point. My son has learning disabilities and he reads by word shape...and yet (because he cant tell me) it had never occurred to me that dot matrix text is hard to read.

[@mikemidulster]

'Rail professional'. In other words a manager. Please don't take this personally, but this is the trouble with our hierarchical society, those who have the power to choose how we do things are not always the best people to make those choices. As an experiment, you could survey Rail Workers who work in close proximity to the travelling Public, to find out how many of them would have known about 'the shape of words being important' on signage. You might be surprised at the result.

[@creativedlc]

There were a few jokes cut out of this.... please be grateful they were, because they were awful.

[@geofftech2]

i can confirm that i thought my humour was bad, but Dominic's is worse ... yes. ;-)

[@andyjamess]

Great video guys

[@maryapatterson]

Keep them in, the pandemic is awful as it is and some of us need some light/ dark relief!

[@creativedlc]

@@maryapatterson trust me, my jokes are banned under the Geneva Convention.

[@marcokragulji3716]

Very good video. Many people do not think about the troubles that come up by making an accessible ride. Sidenote: Nice umbrella. There is no way to get such an umbrella now?

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

My wife is blind and commutes by train. Most of the station staff are brilliant. Unfortunately the same cannot generally be said of the travelling public. I implore everyone who travels by train to be more aware of people with ALL disabilities.....

[@McSynth]

Geoff, as someone who has unexpectedly suffered mobility problems - this was a welcome eye-opener. Glad that you made and posted this - many thanks to Dominic. frank

[@matthewsmatters]

I often use Passenger Assistance as someone who is visually impaired. Stations with wayfinding built into the design of surfaces and lighting (SPT use this in Glasgow/Strathclyde), good and informative vs bad or non-existent PA announcements, are the sorts of things that help empower me. Thank you so much for this video, Geoff, you’ve communicated some of the lived challenges and sheer joy of empowerment so well.

[@jonathanirons231]

Thank you Geoff for highlighting these issues that we often take for granted. Accessibility to services is a choice made by those who provide them. I'm happy to see these improvements!

[@mattashman4040]

Word recognition is 100% how United Kingdom signage on the roads is designed. It is brilliant.

[@BrianWalshSF]

It's great to see transit doing more and more to make the world accessible for everyone.

[@carefree1905]

I have been watching your channel very closely for many years and as a visually impaired person I greatly appreciate you taking the time to do this. Of course, there are times when Assistance doesn’t work and not all companies are on board with providing good disabled passenger experiences, but this is an excellent example of how it is supposed to work. Though the issues that visually impaired people face are different in nature, Disabled People all share a common aim to be empowered and to live autonomous lives in the same way that fully able-bodied people can.l

[@NancyPickering]

Agreed - this video showed it all going according to plan, and on some of the only trains in the UK with level boarding, which makes a HUGE difference. Even so nothing was completely simple, but it was great to see the generally excellent travel assistance at work. We've all had bad experiences but in the main I think the train and bus companies work really hard to make travel as accessible as they can.

[@Chanemus]

This seems like a much smoother experience than when i've travelled with wheelchair users. Booking assistance is often pointless when railway staff are still surprised when a disabled passenger turns up, and act as if it's some massive effort for them to do anything to help.

[@thisis_mudchute]

it normally depends on the TOC

[@jaypeg49]

I have Autism and ADHD so it's amazing seeing how much the world is becoming accessible. I loveeeeee that type of display though, I wear glasses and my vision is getting worse and worse. I cant always make out the tannoy so seeing the actual words are amazing

[@Nathh99]

Honestly! the amount of times I’ve just gone well I guess that announcement wasn’t important because I couldn’t process it due to lack of clarity

[@benrgrogan]

@@eiypo I have ADHD and have always struggled with instructions over tannoys. I hadn't even thought that my ADHD might be part of the cause.

[@Nuskrad]

Hi Geoff, I just want to thank you for your decision to start providing captions on your videos. As someone with an auditory processing disorder I find them really helpful!

[@huseyx2]

Same here. Thanks Geoff!

[@millercool21]

"Toilet at Marks Tay Yay" Love that

[@adscri]

Oy vey!

[@LizzyFerretOfficial]

Thanks so much for doing this Geoff. You’ve done a great job of showing the day to day realities of a wheelchair using commuter’s life. Be it finding a kerb cut when crossing the road, footbridges that can’t be used and having to board at a specific set of doors; All these little things add up to make it much more difficult for us than for those who use heels instead of wheels. Dominic’s explanation of feeling empowered by the ability to get himself on and off the train independently should go someway to explaining to TOC’s and TfL why Manual Boarding Ramps really should be the *last* resort! PS loving the built-in ramps on those new trains - total game changer! Let’s hope many more manufacturers follow that lead!

[@mattevans4377]

The ramps on trains are also useful for small children. A step up or down to an adult might not seem that much, but to a small child, it's huge. When I was little, the gap is what stuck in my mind the most, and knowing if I ever have children, that they won't have the same problem, brings a smile to my face.

[@davidt-rex2062]

the motorway electronic signs are Lowercase now as its easier for people to read quickly - again about the shape of the word

[@librarian16]

I'm not vision impaired but I am aware that lower case is much easier to read in bulk than capitals. I've sometimes had difficulty in persuading people to take the caps-lock off. There is a man who posts videos of Australian tramways and he will use all capitals in a font which is too large; it's often inpossible to read in the time the video allows.

[@mralistair737]

I think the uk was one of the first places to do this on normal road signs as most places just assumed all-caps was clearer, but the MOT or someone actually tested it and realised the difference.... i think a lot of places are still catching up.

[@GuyArab]

@@mralistair737 I would like the instructions in leaflets, but mainly Terms & Conditions, which might use lower case, but print grey on white, or use other light colours in a white background. This is difficult for visually impaired readers.

[@mralistair737]

@@GuyArab I struggle with those and i'm only +4 long sighted! which is sort of the point as well.. improving accessibilitiy makes a big difference to the disabled, but also improves things for everyone.. Eg people with prams all benefit from the ramps and extra space, those projecting ramps stop drunk / elderly / kids falling down the gaps.... etc etc etc. There is a cost, but ultimately doing things properly pays for itself.

[@calmeilles]

@@Einveldi The result of the Warboys Report, and the 'Transport' font used designed by Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert. www.roads.org.uk/fonts

[@Alfie-cu4np]

This is the only thing that has taken me aback with these trains. The fact that they have inbuilt wheelchair ramps, which is very clever. That’s the only thing I like about these trains really. It is rather clever.

[@BladedFish]

I travel on the new Stadlers quite often, and they certainly have pros and cons. Didn't know about the press and hold on the door buttons, that's a great little tip.

[@archiemt74]

They all should have it, cheaper than making platforms same height buses have them

[@maryapatterson]

@@archiemt74 The only issue with the buses is that they either don't work or the bus driver, usually due to other issues, if he doesn't line up properly with the pavement, then he may have to maneuver a couple of times. Everybody's normally pretty patient.

[@MrPsychomonkey]

@@maryapatterson but with trains it should be very predictable, as train will align with each platform the same way each time. worst case you have to setup the system for particular stations on the line

[@memediatek]

​@@BladedFish the aventra family from Alstom also have a similar feature, using the door open button instead of a dedicated button. Sadly this isn't accessible from the exterior of the train on the Elizabeth line due to the edge doors

[@Bergerboy1000]

I must say, to see someone who is disabled be able to get off and on a train without assistance warms my heart. The new brightline trains here in Miami, FL also have those gap fillers on them and I once saw a lifelong wheelchair user using it for the first time and they actually were crying tears of joy of how easy it would be for them to get to and from work now that the train had step-free access.

[@anophelesnow3957]

Geoff, your channel is close to the platonic ideal of a good KZbin channel.

[@DemonKitty666_]

I've got a radar key because of my ibs and other personal issues and it helps me out tons! I got asked why I used the disabled loos when I obviously look okey, that very incident I was unwell with ibs cramps and nausea, they obviously didn't believe me, like I had to show them proof I'm poorly, okey then I'll hand you my portable endoscope then 😒

[@JohnR31415]

“Well you don’t look bigoted, but there we go”.

[@geofftech2]

who the heck challenges you? surely you should be able to use the loo in peace ...

[@DemonKitty666_]

@@geofftech2 I simply said, "I have rights just like everyone else who are disabled, because not all of them are visible, if you choose to be ignorant that's your choice, not mine" left them stunned

[@JohnR31415]

@@geofftech2 you’d have thought so wouldn’t you. I was in a pub last year, with both my F-in-law and I in wheelchairs, and a young lady came up and asked whether *we* minded if she used the accessible loo. Clearly wearing a sunflower lanyard, but she has had so many people challenge her... fortunately we were able to give her at least some confidence boost.

[@nickhiscock8948]

This probably why in Australia accessable public toilets are open access to all now. As it simplifys disabled peoples access to the toilets just go in no doors to unlock. It also helps those who have less obvious disabilities to use the toilets un hassled.

[@baruchpinnick811]

Most interesting and a very important subject. I was particularly interested in the point that we recognise familiar words by their shape as well as by reading them. This reminded me of something similar in a completely different railway context. When I was a young train spotter, a school friend told me that you can see a train's number by the shapes of its digits before you get close enough to be able to actually read them. It's true, and I still use this to recognise (for example) bus route numbers, when I'm waiting for one, before it's possible to see the digits clearly. And yes, it is more difficult to do this with dot matrix number displays, just as was explained in this video.

[@unthenner5519]

How is this a surprise? I'm confused by this notion that the shapes of letters and words wouldn't be important. Congratulations you've just discovered written language 🙄.

[@jlelliotton]

The thing I thought was “neat” was the wheelchair “lock” on the train door to keep it open!

[@j.k.1198]

“Dramatic shot of Dominik driving away” *shows him driving like 5 km/h out of the parking lot*

[@creativedlc]

I can promise that was restrained. Have a search for the Loopwheels Extreme video by ReviewMyWheelchair

[@Psevdonim123]

Isn't dramatic enough for you?

[@peter_smyth]

I got one of those Greater Anglia trains yesterday. The way the step slides out, hits the platform edge then backs up by 1 cm and stops is amazing!

[@grahamumbo9059]

As a wheelchair user I'd like to add that I have always found railway staff to be very helpful. Once I was waiting at Euston to get on a Liverpool train when, in the absence of a ramp or staff (I had not pre-booked help), I asked a passing member of staff for help in lifting my chair up into the carriage. I thanked him and he said to get away as he was driving the train.

[@vlogerhood]

It is an important point that a large number of people who use wheelchairs can still be quite mobile. Standing, walking short distances and the like can all be perfectly possible for them. Never make assumptions about someone's needs based on what you see them doing or not doing.

[@MattFowlerBTR]

Thanks for the shout-out for non-visible issues that can cause people to be RADAR-key holders - I have one due to my IBS and (back when my IBS was giving me much more grief) it was vital in giving me the confidence to go out.

[@martineyles]

The bit that sticks out from the train to the platform is probably good for everyone. It's good to not have to mind the gap.

[@stepheng7586]

Very very good video,especially the part about Passenger Information Screens. I'm not disabled but I was a carer for my dad and he wasn't very mobile,its only then that you realise that at times organising a trip has to be done with military precision. Again Geoff,a great eye opener and most important of all a good educational video.

[@LeoStarrenburg]

Watch Geoff meet his master @ 09:07 .

[@geofftech2]

it was a brilliant moment! i had no idea you could do that!!

[@gordonmcmillan4709]

@@geofftech2 Tiny things like that show somebody cared enough to design it in.

[@noahswann]

@@gordonmcmillan4709 exactly, nowadays a few lines of code (or lack thereof) can make or break someone's day!

[@heidilou1985]

A friend of mine and I went to London probably 14/15 years ago now on South Eastern. She used a wheelchair and I think we had let the station know. There was a communication breakdown somewhere between Gravesend and Waterloo, and we arrived to find no member of staff waiting with the ramp. Very frustrating and stressful as we were near the rear of a long train and I had to race down the length of the platform towards the concourse to find a member of staff to assist us. Its still nowhere near perfect but it looks like things are improving and giving people more independence to travel.

[@linesided]

My respect for this channel (already high) just went up even further. Great subject, great way to handle accessible issues and great job explaining the reality of Dominique's travel experience.

[@chucknut88]

Thank you so much for this. It's incredibly validating to get the information I'm looking for as a wheelchair user from your perspective. I wish more travel vlog/bloggers would do this. Thanks for your informative and compassionate video.

[@Nathh99]

I deeply appreciate the fact that this video is subtitled - it’s an actual struggle to find KZbin videos that are subtitled (and that’s with my English speaking privilege - I feel for subtitle users with other language requirements)

[@sachef86]

Try Tom Scott’s videos! Oddly I learned about him from this channel, from the game show Lateral!

[@geofftech2]

thank you Nathan! due to Tom (mentoned in the other comment here) i have now started to subtitle my videos, and i also knew that i couldn't have a video about accessibility, and NOT subtitle it! so i have now started subtitling all my new videos ...

[@bwaw1972]

Thank you for making this video. Really helps to make people (like me) aware of the everyday challenges people with disabilities face.

[@joeress]

When I was a kid people like you could only note down train numbers in a book. These days they make informative KZbin videos like this. Thanks for all you do, Geoff. And special thanks for highlighting this particular issue that most of us rarely even think about.

[@davidconnell1959]

Two beautiful people. Thanks for this week’s uplift!

[@abigailbarfoot3846]

Thank you Dominic I’m severely partially sighted I had no idea about being able to ask for assistance through the ticket machines. I went on now of those accessible trains from Totnes to Plymouth on a new fast train from Paddington. It was fabulous not to judge how deep to drop is from the train to platform including the gap between to platform and train

It's great that a hundred years ago, disabled people would not even get out of the house on their own and now they can travel around the country!

[@farmersteve129]

I often take my wheelchair bound mum out on train journeys & the constant improvements to facilities is good to see, but even better is the attitude of the majority of staff who do their best to provide the best possible service given the limitations of infrastructure. Just a few years ago mobility impaired passengers were simply considered to be a burden, now it is "all change"

[@JohnR31415]

Wheelchair user, wheelchair freed maybe. She’d be a lot more “bound” without it.

[@Dungeonfreak]

Please don’t tie your mother to her wheelchair

[@trickydicky165]

As a disabled person this was great thank you. you need to do more.

[@SouthLightFX]

Hi Geoff. I just wanted to say; as an Asperger's sufferer, thank you for championing accessible travel by rail. 🤩💛

[@NWIndianaElevators]

This is an awesome video, Geoff! I am a person with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair (and travels around the US), and I have noticed that some cities (particularly in the Sun Belt region) that have a great transportation system like Phoenix or Dallas put accessibility in mind. Heck, we sometimes get perks for traveling with a disability like reduced fares for example.

[@JordanLoweElevaToursCanada]

It is nice to see that the world is coming together help make life more accessible for wheelchair users like ourselves.

[@BarneyLeith]

Fascinating and sobering when one thinks about the challenges facing travellers with disabilities.

[@benjamintery7847]

I like the subtitles, it's very useful. Great video, it's good to see the hidden aspects of the transport network that we might not normally realise. :)

[@RoseRodent]

Definitely want to see a similar video on the Tube. The "new step free station" videos are interesting but feature a lot of going up the stairs! I want to see some end to end step free journeys, including the route planning and the little tips. I'm forever telling people to look out for the little flags on the Jubilee that tell you which carriages line up with Green Park step free, cos if you get on the wrong bit you can't get off!

[@Dungeonfreak]

The tube is really not accessible even the stations that claim to be often aren’t

[@Baelzar]

This is excellent. Thank you Geoff and Dominic for such a simple and comprehensive guide. We have clients that are traveling to the UK next summer that we will direct here.

[@michaelpilling9659]

What a fascinating video. Things we take for granted as being able bodied, cause constant problems for Dominic. It was wonderful to see how pleased Dominic was when everything worked. I certainly learnt a lot from your film Geoff. Thanks so much for posting it.

[@TheChunky2010]

When I saw the title I had a fear you were traveling with Doug Paulley. He is no help whatsoever to wheelchair users. He’s a massive pain to anyone who has the misfortune of traveling on the same vehicle as him. The guy in this video is a breath of fresh air in comparison. Thankyou.

[@isaactimmins8959]

Doug is very much the Karen of accessibility campaigning, it's good to see the positives on show, I always find majority of staff who do assistance enjoy their work & try their best without a shouting match needed, I thought when Geoff got round to this video it would've been the lass whos mates with Viki (i think) out on the welsh border,

[@TheChunky2010]

@@isaactimmins8959 I know bus drivers who have been targeted by him. He sets out looking for confrontations and reactions. Always turns comments off on his videos. The guy is a menace.

[@isaactimmins8959]

@@TheChunky2010 bit like those who video the police for "Brutality" Doug is stuck in the 90's mentality of channing to buses & being a menace, He was upset on twitter the other week as Northern chose someone other than him to test the accessibility of Northerns new rolling stock, but I think there needs too be discussions with partners on all levels in design of all facets of travel & accessibility.

[@TheChunky2010]

@@isaactimmins8959 He’s not trying to do anything positive. He’s only doing it to cause trouble to feed his ego.

[@OlanKenny]

I'm autistic, I'm fortunate in that it very rarely has any impediment to my travel. I used one of the 755s in February in Norfolk and it struck me how convenient it was to be able to just walk onto the train without really having to look where I was going or lift my suitcase. Greater accessibility benefits EVERYBODY.

[@chriggle1]

As a person with both physical and mental disability, this video has really shown how simple things can make the experience so much easier for people like me. I have 2 chronic incurable (at present) conditions, diabetes and I am dyslexic. The change to the lettering is a simple one, but makes so much difference to people like me. I struggle with contrast as well as letters/numbers jumping, dot matrix signs don’t suit me, particularly if they have moving text. One piece of advice I would add is to research if there are changing places toilets or full rooms on your journey. Not all disabled toilets are equal. I have seen some fabulous ones, and some pitiful ones over the years. Like Dominic, I carry a radar key with me at all times on my keys, and one in my day bag. I also always carry hand sanitizer and antibacterial spray in my bag too, and extra tissues. I use a walking frame with wheels and seat, but haven’t been on a train since I got it thanks to coronavirus. The thought of it scares me, but I can’t let it defeat me. The frame folds down to a similar size of a pushchair, so it’s adaptable for public transport use. Once coronavirus is over, I want to try the tube too. It’s great to see people with disabilities being offered dependable help to keep them independent. Dominic’s air punch is the perfect way to describe actually doing something for yourself that able people take for granted.

[@MartinAhlman]

We're getting there, but we're not there yet! Good to see a film that puts our half-blind eyes on people who can't just jump on a train. We have a long way to go, but we'll get there, the sooner the better.

[@thomasbutler4324]

Omen of my favourite vids. Thank you to both of you for informing about such an important issue in an accessible way

[@melaniejanecarr8468]

Thanks for showing this Geoff and to Dominic too, I'm in a wheel chair most of the time and about to get a motorised one, its certainly handy to know Doms tips. Very very helpful. Thank you Mel & Brian xx

[@OfficialRyanx]

It’s fantastic to see more being done for disabled passengers. I’m disabled and struggle with walking for more than 5 minutes at a time. I’ve been down to London numerous times with changes at Kings X and onward to Homerton. The planning that goes into finding stations that have escalators or lifts coupled with the long distances of some walkways to trains is insane.

[@pwhitewick]

Loved it, slick edit as ever, Dominic lovely chap.... "Empowerment". Fantastic.

[@maidbloke]

Love this demonstration of how difficult seemingly straight forward journeys are for less able people - and the small changes that can be made to make it easier for them. Thanks for a great video.

[@davemarson7241]

This is a very useful video Geoff, the map is great,but what is needed at more stations is changing rooms for those that wear pads. My step-daughter is profoundly disabled, in a wheelchair, and wears pads. Most disabled toilets at some stations, don't have a bench or changing table, so we have to change her pad on the floor. She is 21.

[@jwuertz7101]

On our trip to the UK mom ended up on crutches, which was eye opening for what is and isn't accessible. Thank you for sharing. Our issue was temporary but I now have a greater awareness for everywhere I go.

[@thatSteveSmith]

Great to see rail companies are starting to be more mindful of people with disabilities.

[@andyjamess]

I must admit I was like you were the first time we started using a wheelchair for my wife's fractured spine. I now appreciate how mobility impaired people need to plan their routes more so than we do

[@Dungeonfreak]

Disabled people not mobility impaired

[@raghuexplores]

I lived in Chelmsford for 4.5 years, made hundreds of train journeys and very nostalgic to see the train station.

[@thomasfy4]

Me and my grandmother were in Dorchester and on our way back to Weymouth after spending the day out, we noticed all they had was a staircase to the other platform. I asked the staff if they had any way of us getting to the other platform without climbing the staircase and to our grateful surprise the South West Trains employee called the train and got them to switch the platform so the train came to us. Very pleased.

[@trainspotterukhubessex6142]

I see you are at my home station Geoff and it was great to meet you at the station

[@geofftech2]

you made the cut! the shot of you all waving! :-D Nice to see you all too.

[@dasreicht]

I'm surprised by how much I learnt from this video. Hopefully our network continues to improve for all travelers.

[@JoeyBatman888]

I’m glad gastro intestinal got a mention as I suffer from coeliacs disease,been diagnosed with it for 3 years though suffered with it for 17 years! Unfortunately if people can’t see what’s wrong with you then they presume nothing is wrong with you. Excellent video.

[@emjeebutterz4405]

Awesome look into British accessible rail travel! As an American with a disability, I've always seen a big advantage in the fact that all British platforms are on the same level as the train floor. Here, that is unfortunately not the case for most of our rail network. I've travelled on Amtrak quite a few times, and boarded the train using a manually cranked lift, which was a pretty interesting operation to witness. Last year, I did take a trip on a service on our East Coast, where most platforms are actually level with the trains. Interestingly, upon arrival at my destination, despite the lack of car stop markers for drivers, the accessible coach I was sitting in stopped right next to a portable ramp like the ones shown in the video, and the same procedure entails, though the train conductor (or guard in British terms) himself steps off the train to retrieve and set the ramp.

[@stephenlittle7534]

You sometimes don't know how lucky we are. Thank you sir for showing us how things are with you and your travels. I also hope the improve even more for you. Safe Travel.

[@RanchHand111]

Thanks for showing disabled travel as the trains are amazing in our wheelchairs

[@alanaj5]

Thank you so much for your video. It’s great to see all the accessibility being provided on trains. My dad is a wheelchair user and we’ve wanted to go to soho for several years, but he can’t use the underground to get there, so we haven’t gone. We’re really looking forward to Crossrail being completed. We’ve been refused help at Marylebone in the past and seeing trains where assistance isn’t required is fantastic.

[@beckypoynter2655]

Great Video. Answered my question, as a non wheel chair user, as to how you would cross the line at Marks Tey, when we took the train to Colchester from Sudbury recently. But learnt so much more from this! Made me much more aware about the day to day challenges for disabled people and how we all need to be doing and campaigning for more.

[@onesevenninewest]

I’m going to definitely remember this video next time my family and I visit the UK. My sister’s disabled (cerebral palsy), so accessibility is a must whenever we do go abroad.

[@AliMsBeauty]

Thanks for this. I’m tuning in because I’m utterly terrified of travelling by train. I’ve been disabled all my life but my disability has got progressively worse and I now rely on a mobility scooter. I’ve not used a train since using a scooter . What was great is it was the same line that I’m considering using. I’m from Colchester! I’m still terrified as I hate feeling out of control. Those level trains can’t come fast enough. If I knew I could get on and off without having to worry that someone was at the station to assist me I would be far less anxious . Thanks for showing me what it’s like

[@SkateGeneva]

Hi Geoff, something interesting that I would like to point out is the newer designs from Stadler Rail. They have developped new trains (the new KISS, the new FLIRT, etc.) to all have level access to the train from the platform benefiting reduced mobility eople and wheelchair users. Most importantly this year they rolled out the EC250 here in Switzerland which is the first low floor high-speed train.

[@philevans8838]

I remember back in the late 1970s taking my grandfather in his wheelchair from Leicester to London and we travelled in the brake compartment! Glad things have moved on.

[@zloychechen5150]

what's a brake compartment?

[@backblaise1255]

@@zloychechen5150 In the 70's it would have been a room on a passenger train where tools and parcels could be stored. It was usually where the guard was during a journey. They were cheerless places. The name comes from when brake vans were attached to all trains to help the engine with braking (continuous brakes on goods trains didn't become common on British Railways until the late 60's).

[@zloychechen5150]

@@backblaise1255 thanks, man. cheers.

[@Gass7]

I remember after a eurostar ride from paris, we got a train from Waterloo to Twickenham in the early noughties with a wheelchair using family friend. It seemed they didn't know where to put us on the train, we eventually ended up in some bare train compartment i don't think passengers would usually be in. it may have been the brake compartment? this was around 2003. i don't even remember seats, we all just sat on the floor to keep our friend company. it was also quite dark, noisy, and cold. when i look back at it now, its quite disgraceful treatment. glad things seem to have improvement.

[@backblaise1255]

@@zloychechen5150 A pleasure. My dad was BR Guard.

[@lyndamcdougal3300]

As a new wheelchair user, this is invaluable information, thank you so much. Just wish we had the new trains up here in the North. Thank you.

[@TheAlassinSane]

As someone who's only been in a wheelchair for a couple years - this was actually very useful and I learnt some things I didn't know before haha

[@tordoff]

Brilliant piece Geoff, I was taken by element where Dominic talks about words as shapes, this is particularly relevant for folk with learning difficulties. (Shared on LinkedIn)

[@Objektly]

loved this video Geoff, as always so considerate and engaging with viewers and collaborators you've worked with :)

[@geofftech2]

Thanks so much!

[@shavonnegramkow2699]

As someone who is disabled in a wheelchair and looking to travel/move abroad this is very informative

[@rodb9262]

Great that you have highlighted the often unseen need of those who are not as able as most are. 👍 I like the idea of having the ramp inbuilt into a train, independence is something most people never give much thought to. We live in Melbourne Australia, partner is a full paraplegic (aged care resident) so does not go travelling on public transport by herself but such a ramp would be welcomed if available by many, here the driver will get out and use a ramp for people in a chair. All metro buses are low rise with a manual (driver again) fold out to kerb ramp. No need for a ticket as she has a free travel wheelchair pass card that will open any barriers. Ease of travel is essential.

[@joannegray5138]

Interesting video. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I do have problems with my mobility (I walk with a stick) and since developing health issues, I've seen the world through different eyes regarding the need for disability access on public transport. I didn't realise all the extra effort it takes to make a simple train journey. More should be done to raise public awareness.

[@Karlinski73]

If you seek out a BTF film called 'Just Like The Rest Of Us' (done in the early 1980s) you'll see how far accessibility on the railways has come. Still a lot of work to do but the progress is staggering. Excellent and insightful video.

[@MegKBaker]

Great video Geoff & Dominic. It's great too see public transport becoming more accessible & hopefully we will see the day where every station is accessible for all

[@lakelady57]

Really enjoyed that - very informative fun and engaging. Thanks Dominic for sharing your world. Thanks Geoff for being open to all of these worlds.

[@spiccybaby]

Flat access boarding facilities (Inner London Thameslink, London ELL Overground for me) make the ultimate difference to the sense of freedom. A sharp contrast to 30 years ago on Waterloo-Salisbury Class 50 hauled trains, Mk I Brake and in the cage ye go with the parcels and day-old chicks (I kidded a workmate that I had to wear a destination label and stay quiet, to his horror!).

[@Louise14834]

That automatic ramp actually just made me cry. For 7/8 years I have looked after a young person with cerebral palsy and countless times I have booked assistance and we have been put on the train but no one has been there to let us off. Nothing to do with station size - it is usually a huge station like London Bridge. I cannot count the number of times I have been trapped on a train because we have been forgotton about and had to stand between the doors not allowing them to close. I have been known for causing 10 minute delays at London Bridge before....

That button to disable the automatic door closing function is everywhere on German tramways and busses since decades. It did already exist on high floor tramways without the wheelchair pictogram obviously but with a pram pictogram and an elderly person pictogram, which did need to disable that automatic door closing after 5 seconds if no one was interrupting a light barrier. Moreover, pressing that button on one of the doors did light up a indication light on the driver console.

[@kev2427]

This video is amazing. I’m a disabled person(I use elbow crutches to walk) i was really anxious about train travel as I’ve never done it before. This has eased my concerns a bit

[@katherinenarborough2662]

I'm glad videos like these highlight what people with all varying disabilities have to go through when journeying on trains educating other folks naturally. Having a sister who uses a wheelchair on long trips I understand the trouble some have trying to get places when no staff are around to operate ramps or lifts been out of action as well obviously. It's nice seeing new trains with automatic ramps so users can wheel themselves on without having to call assistance beforehand giving them a sense freedom like Dominic then which is probably why the DLR underground line beside certain overland trains is my favourite for accessibility been how every stations step free from train to street level which I hope more underground lines become future wise then.

[@TransportNut89]

This is how it should be, being someone with a non visible disability and some mobility issues, this helps people with a disability travel with confidence. All trains should have easy access along with making every station accessible to all

[@ianburnett1980]

Excellent video. When I visit UK late next year, I will keep this in mind as I am a below knee amputee with prosthetic leg.

[@RoddyJenkins]

As a visually-impaired passenger/customer, I can concur that the new onboard display screens are much easier to read. That and the PA announcements are also making life easier as a disabled traveller if you ever want to do a similar video Geoff, on other disabilities in the future, it would be a pleasure to assi

[@baldmanuk]

Glad to see things are slowly improving. This reminds me of two and a half years ago trying to get from Kings cross to Waterloo via the underground with my wife, who is in a powered wheelchair. We were trapped, basically in the pits of hell for over two hours. Finally escaping and catching a bus. We caught a later train to Bournemouth four hours late. Never again.

[@budgettobusinessflightrevi5176]

Great video. I’m writing my undergrad dissertation on improving accessibility for people with disabilities at airports and when boarding aircraft. There’s still a lot that still needs to be done across the transport industry

[@mikereddaway3266]

Excellent video. Visiting Norwich in the summer I was impressed by the level access and moving steps on the Stadlers - it's a shame so few new trains are so equipped. And fascinating to hear Dominic's explanation of the dot matrix problem - something I have suffered with no idea why - Thank you.