Mobility scooter users given more freedom with new permit scheme

Northern train

After a successful trial with Northern, a new mobility scooter permit scheme has been rolled out to over 100 railway stations in the North, including Rochdale, Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly.

Passengers can apply for a permit and their scooter will be assessed to ensure they are safe to be carried on board.

Each user will be given a personalised sticker that will be easily identified and be placed on the pre-assessed vehicle. This will be accompanied by a card that can be carried by customers if they use scooters that don’t have a suitable place to display the sticker. 

Further stations on local lines to implement the scheme include Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge, Bradford Interchange, Leeds, and Manchester Airport.

Maxine Myers, Accessibility Improvement Manager, at Northern said: “More than 21 routes across our network are now scooter friendly - and more will be rolled out in the near future as we continue to make our trains and stations as accessible as possible for our passengers. 

“We have been working with members of the Northern Trains Accessibility User Group to create a phased introduction of routes and stations where Northern can accommodate scooter users. 

“Anyone who wants to bring their scooters on our trains should apply for a permit first so we can check it meets the standards that make it safe for us to take it on-board.” 

Application forms for scooter permits can be completed online here: 

• www.northernrailway.co.uk/mobilityscooter