Getting updates for public transport

There is no single place to get updates on changes to your journey. But you can get alerts to some changes that will affect you when you travel.

Travel apps

There are travel apps that can give you some useful updates, but these are not specific to disabled travellers.

Train and bus companies often have their own mobile apps. These apps should be accessible, but not all of them are.

Citymapper and Google Maps have 'commute' options that allow you to set up a planned journey. Both tell you if there are changes or delays. AA maps can give you updates on traffic in your area.

If you use Google Maps, you may need to turn on extra tracking. This could use up your phone's battery more quickly. Downloading information over Wi-Fi may mean that you use less data.

Twitter updates from companies

Follow bus and train operators on Twitter. You can also ask questions about your journey.

Twitter apps can send alerts to your phone when the company tweets. You can turn on alerts for all the accounts you follow, or just the useful ones.

Notifications on mobile devices (Twitter)

Buses

Trains

National Rail Enquiries website and apps

National Rail website shares information about delayed and cancelled trains. You can receive these alerts using a mobile app.

National Rail app, App Store

National Rail app, Google Play store

Lifts at train stations

You can check a journey on the National Rail website or apps to see if a lift has broken at a station. But:

• not all broken lifts are reported
• this information is not sent out as an alert to mobile apps

If you arrive at a station and a lift is out of order, contact customer service staff. Legally, staff must make reasonable adjustments to help you finish your journey. These include:

• helping you to use a service lift
• arranging free transport to continue your journey

There is no set definition of what is 'reasonable'. It depends on what you need and how the station is set up. If staff refuse to help you, it could be discrimination.

Complaining about public transport

Finding your way on the street

There are apps for Apple devices that use audio to help you find your way. These apps are not free. You may be able pay for them using your Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

BlindSquare and RNIB Navigator both:

• tell you when you’re near something interesting
• use information from either Apple Maps or Google Maps
• use GPS which is accurate to about 5 to 30 metres depending on your signal

Or, you may prefer to use a GPS device with physical buttons.

If your booked train assistance does not turn up

There are things you can do if you need to find another route or get assistance in an emergency. 

If your booked train assistance does not turn up