AccessBus is a fully accessible door-to-door dial-a-ride bus service that operates within each of the five districts of West Yorkshire. The buses are either low floor ramped access design or are equipped with passenger lifts.
Both types of vehicle are fitted with the most up to date safety equipment.
The service is free of charge to residents of West Yorkshire and operates between 9am and 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday and 9am to 5pm on Sunday.
AccessBus also provides an evening service, available to groups of 5 people or more. However, the availability of this particular service is limited.
Who is eligible to use AccessBus?
Anyone of any age, who is unable to use conventional public transport, or who has extreme difficulty in doing so, because of a disability. You may take a companion with you if you need help - either while travelling or at your destination.
How do I register for AccessBus?
You can receive a registration form by telephoning the enquiry line on 01274 304297. The line is open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4pm.
Where can I go on the AccessBus? The AccessBus is mainly used to enable people to travel from their home to their nearest shopping centre and back. Passengers also use the service to visit family and friends, social clubs, luncheon clubs, churches and so on.
AccessBus regret that it is not possible to guarantee a trip or to offer transport to hospitals for appointments or to council run day facilities.
How can I get in touch with AccessBus?
AccessBus
Wellington House
40-50 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 2DE
Telephone: 01274 304297
Bus Passes
Bus passes are travel passes which allow discounted travel on buses and trains within the West Yorkshire Metro area. You can get a bus pass if:
your ability to walk is permanently and seriously impaired and has lasted at least 12 months
you are registered blind or partially sighted
you are profoundly deaf
you have a learning disability
you have been refused a driving licence on medical grounds
If you have a mobility problem it is helpful to carefully plan your route in advance. Routes can be supplied by the AA or RAC by writing, by telephone or using their websites at The AA Travelwatch Planner and RAC Routeplanner. These routes also show motorway service areas and petrol stations.
Parking permit (Blue Badge)
This is a national scheme of parking concessions for disabled people over 2 years old who travel either as car drivers or passengers. Parking Badge holders are able to use the parking spaces set aside for disabled people and park in paid parking zones for longer periods of time.
You can get a badge if:
you are registered blind
you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance or War Pensioners Mobility Supplement
you have a permanent major disability which makes you unable or virtually unable to walk
your car is supplied by a Government department or you receive a Government grant towards it
your severe disability in both upper arms means you would not be able to turn the steering wheel of a car even if it was fitted with a turning knob. You must also be the driver of the car.
To apply pick up an application form at your nearest Gateway to Care. If you wish we will help you fill in the form.
You will need to provide Gateway to Care with two recent passport-sized photographs of yourself signed on the back and a fee of £2.00. If you prefer, your photograph can be taken when you visit the Gateway to Care. There is a charge of £2.40 for this service.
The leaflet which comes with your blue badge explains where and when the badge can be used. The parking badge itself and a time clock must be displayed on the dashboard of the car while it is parked. In most council car parks, a badge holder can park in any available space, especially if you, or your passenger, do not require the car door to be fully opened. If you do need to use a wide space, park as straight as possible to avoid obstructing the nearby spaces.
School travel
If a child’s school serves the area where you live, or if it’s the school that we consider to be appropriate to serve your child’s needs, you may be entitled to help with school travel.
For advice or information contact:
The Transport Department
Oldgate House
2 Oldgate
Huddersfield
HD1 6QW
The law on pavement vehicles is at present under review.
A class 1 vehicle is a manual wheelchair either self- or attendant-propelled.
A class 2 vehicle is limited to 4 mph and is for use only on pavements except when crossing a road or in places where there is no pavement.
A class 3 vehicle is limited to 8 mph for use on the road, but must be switched to class 2 mode for use on pavements.
Although it is not at present compulsory to insure either class of vehicle, it makes good sense to do so. Some companies specialise in scooter and wheelchair insurance. You may be covered for third party liability on your home insurance, but you will need this confirmed by your insurers. In addition, many leisure attractions offer hire or use of powered vehicle and there is the Shopmobility scheme for town centre scooter hire in Kirklees and many other places in the UK.
ServiceCall
ServiceCall is an inexpensive system designed to make it easier for a person with limited mobility to use petrol stations, banks, supermarkets, shops and many other services.
You simply aim a
small infrared transmitter to activate the ServiceCall receiver fitted in thousands of service providers’ windows.
You can contact ServiceCall by
Telephone: 0800 458 3008 (freephone)
website: www.service-call.net
Shopmobility
To help town centre shoppers with limited mobility we have battery-powered scooters and manual wheelchairs for you to borrow free of charge.
They are available at:
The Shopmobility services at the Shopmobility and Information Shop, Gateway to Care, 2 Market Street, Huddersfield
Huddersfield Bus Station (booked only through the Information Shop);
Kingsgate Shopping Centre, Huddersfield
The Walsh Building, Town Hall Way, Dewsbury
Cleckheaton Town Hall
Batley Town Hall
and also available in Huddersfield by arrangement at Civic Centre, High Street, and St John’s Resource Centre, St John’s Road.
How can I book one?
To make a booking or for further information please contact one of the local Gateway to Care.
Wherever possible, scooters or manual chairs should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. If you are new to pavement scooters we will require you to undertake a short safety assessment prior to your first booking. When you visit us you will first complete a registration form. We will send you an ID card that we need you to quote when you make a booking. You will also need to show your ID card when you pick up a scooter.
Trains
It is advisable to book a journey at least 48 hours in advance if you need help with your wheelchair or getting on and off trains. If you need to change trains, it is advisable to telephone to get the times
when connections between trains must be made and to arrange help in transferring from train to train.
