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Home , Ashampstead, Ashmore Green, Brimpton, Chapel Row, Great Shefford, Holybrook

This booklet has been produced by:

E GettingGetting D I There!There! U Passenger Transport

www.westberks.gov.uk/transport G in West

This information made available on request in T large print, on , in braille or oer languages. R Council acknowledges with thanks the assistance provided in O the publication of this booklet by West P

Berkshire Disability Alliance, S

‘It’s My Life’ Independent N Self Advocacy Group and the A West Berkshire Learning Disability R Partnership Board. TRANSPORT GUIDE TRANSPORT T

Including services for people with restricted mobility Although every effort has been made to ensure all information in this booklet is correct at the time of going to print, West Berkshire Council cannot be held responsible for any loss or inconvenience caused by April inaccuracies or omissions. 2008 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

Introduction 1 This guide is designed to overcome some of the barriers to using public transport by Blue Badge Scheme 2 introducing the various choices. Car & Minibus Schemes 3-7 Telephone numbers are given for the service Dial-a-Ride 8-9 providers so that you can talk to them about your particular requirements and find out how they Hospital Travel Benefit 10 H can meet your needs. Information can be Berkshire Disability accessed electronically via the Internet or email. Information Network 10 Computers can be used at public libraries.

Why Use The Bus? 11 ? It is especially hoped that this guide will widen Bus Service Operators 12-13 horizons for people who have restricted mobility and for their friends and relatives. West Berkshire Public Service Transport Map 14-17 Please tell us whether you think it is easy to Concessionary Fares Scheme 18-22 use, and also if you find the information has Shopmobility 23 gaps or details have become out of date.

Buses to Hospitals 24

Call-A-Bus Services 25

Community Care Transport 26

Taxis and Private Hire Cars 27

British Red Cross 28 write to: Transport Services Team South Central Ambulance BUS Service NHS Trust 29 West Berkshire Council, Faraday Road, Rail Services - Enquiries 30-31 Newbury Accessible Stations 32 RG14 2AF Useful Transport Telephone 01635 503248 Numbers 33 Email: [email protected]

1 BLUE BADGE CAR & MINIBUS PARKING SCHEME SCHEMES IN The familiar orange badge has been WEST BERKSHIRE replaced by a new European-style blue badge. (Orange badges COMMUNITY CAR SCHEMES expired on 31 March 2003). Volunteers, using their own cars, work to help The European Union Disabled elderly and disabled people who are Parking Blue Badge Scheme unable to use public services and who do not have access to provides parking concessions private transport. for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as These are not taxi services and at least 48 hours drivers or as passengers. notice should be given when making a booking. Contributions are requested to cover the The scheme also applies to running cost of the vehicle. Often travel tokens registered blind people and to people with can be accepted. severe upper limb disabilities that regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel I have a wheelchair! by hand. Mostly the cars are privately owned. Some will take a foldaway chair. You will need to discuss Blue badges are issued by local Community your requirements with the operator before Services departments and they usually enable they take your booking. holders to closer to shops, and in some restricted areas. COMMUNITY MINIBUS SERVICES Applicants do not need to own a car, or even to Community minibus schemes are often assisted hold a driving licence, in order to get a badge. financially by the local Council. They are The Blue Badge is issued to an individual so primarily intended for group bookings, although that other people may drive them and display if space is available individual bookings may the badge when parking. also be taken. Whilst the focus is on the elderly and mobility impaired people, these schemes For further information please telephone tend to provide specific West Berkshire Community Services: solutions that complement the public bus services. Newbury Snags 0845 601 4726 Community Minibus Services are provided by or voluntary organisations. They are committed to providing this service, but are only able to help 0118 930 2777 where volunteer drivers are available. 2 3 LIST OF ALL Carebus Volunteer Group: 52 Parkers Corner, Englefield, WEST BERKSHIRE Reading RG7 5JR Telephone: 0118 930 4837 COMMUNITY E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Graham Reeves TRANSPORT SERVICES Area covered: , , Basildon, , Bradfield, , Englefield, The following symbols are used on this page to , , Purley, , represent different services: Streatley, , , , Theale & . Car scheme Minibus group travel Community Service Group: Accessible car Minibus with scheme passenger lift Telephone: 0118 971 3334 Contact: Georgina Cardy 24-hour answering Times: Mon, Wed, Fri 0930 – 1130 service Area covered: Bucklebury, Upper Bucklebury, , , Lower , Please note that all operators listed, with the Beenham & . exception of Readibus, need a few days notice to prepare for a particular journey request. Readibus provide a ‘dial-a-ride’ service which means that you Downland Volunteer Group: can book your journey on the day you wish to travel. c/o The Surgery, High Street, Compton RG20 0AJ British Red Cross: Handybus: 01635 202519 90 Eastern Avenue, Reading RG1 5SF Car scheme: 01635 578394 Telephone: 0118 929 0519 Times: Mon-Fri 1000 – 1200 Fax: 0118 966 6689 + Ambulance Area covered: Within the area generally bounded by Times: Mon-Fri 0900 – 1700 Winterbourne, Fawley, Aldworth, Ashampstead, Area covered: Greater Reading, Newbury, & . and further afield.

Burghfield and Mortimer Volunteer Bureau: Chain: Contact: Elaine Lombard on Unit 9, Kennet House, 19 High Street 0118 983 1814 (enter by Street), Times: Mon-Fri 0930 – 1130 Hungerford RG17 0NL Area covered: & Mortimer. Handybus: 01488 683304 or 682747 Car scheme: 01488 683727 Burghfield and Mortimer Handybus: Contact: Office Staff Contact: Martyn Sheppard on Times: Mon-Fri 0900 – 1100 0118 983 6611 Area covered: Eddington, Leverton, Froxfield, Area covered: Burghfield & Mortimer. Hungerford & .

4 5 Volunteer Group: Standby Volunteer Group: 2 Thatchers Yard, Kintbury RG17 0JG The Surgery, Cock Lane, Southend Bradfield, Telephone: 01488 657119 Reading RG7 6HR Contact: Heather Turner Telephone: 0118 974 4972 Times: Mon-Fri 0900 – 1100 Contact: Fred Syrett Area covered: Kintbury locality and catchment area Times: Mon and Wed 1000 – 1200 of Kintbury Surgery. Area covered: Bradfield, Theale, Englefield, Minibuses with passenger lifts are also available Stanford Dingley, and westward journeys from Calcot. through an agreement with Hungerford Chain.

Lambourn Volunteer Group: Thatcham Volunteer Bureau: Telephone: 01488 71536 or 72119 20 Gilbert Court, Thatcham, RG18 3AG Contact: Mrs J McCarthy Car scheme: 01635 862306 Times: Mon and Thurs 1000 – 1200 Handybus: 01635 874666 Area covered: Aldbourne, , , Times: Mon-Fri 1000 – 1200 Welford, , Wickham, Eastbury & Area covered: Thatcham, , . & Woolhampton.

Pangbourne and District Volunteer Centre: Thatcham Volunteer Centre also has a Chairman The Village Hall, Station Road, Car available (a people carrier modified to provide Pangbourne RG8 7DY accommodation for a wheelchair and easy access Telephone: 0118 984 4586 for disabled people). To request this vehicle, call Times: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 0930 – 1130 the Handybus number: 01635 874666 Area covered: Purley, Whitchurch, Sulham, , , Ashampstead, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire: Pangbourne & Tidmarsh. Hospitals / Shopping. 1 Bolton Place, Newbury RG14 1AJ ReadiBus: Website: www.volunteerwestberks.org.uk Cradock Road, Reading RG2 0QX E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: 0118 931 0000 (bookings & enquiries) Car scheme: 01635 49004 Fax/Answerphone: 0118 987 6373 Mon - Thur 1000 - 1300, Fri 1000 - 1230 E-mail: [email protected] Handybus: 01635 37111 Mon - Fri 0930 - 1230 Website: www.readibus.co.uk Shopmobility: 01635 523854 Times: Booking 0900 – 1500; enquiries 0900 – 1700 Tues-Sat 0930 – 1600 Area covered includes: Brimpton, Burghfield, Area covered: Crookham, Greater Reading, Hermitage, Lower Newbury, , Curridge, Basildon, Mortimer, Newbury, Pangbourne, Streatley, Donnington, , Shaw, Speen, Thatcham, Greenham, Woolhampton & Yattendon. and further afield. VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED If you or someone you know has a little spare time, say a couple of hours a week, volunteer driving is a very enjoyable, rewarding and valuable way of helping your community. Please contact your Local Voluntary Community transport scheme to become involved or the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire on 01635 49004. 6 7 DIAL A RIDE SCHEDULED The ReadiBus West Berkshire Dial-a-Ride provides a door-to-door service for people with SERVICES restricted mobility that cannot use ordinary public transport. Readibus also operates scheduled weekday services for villages in the Reading to Weekday bookings are accepted the previous Newbury corridor. These services collect day and weekend bookings can be made people from their home for shopping in anytime the previous week. Newbury or Reading or visiting someone in In either case telephone: hospital. Calcot Savacentre and Calcot Coachway are also served, but it should be noted that connections with specific long distance buses cannot be guaranteed.

0118 931 0000 On the day bookings, advance bookings, cancellations and information Bookings accepted on a “first come, first served” basis.

Services are scheduled for Thursday to arrive The Falkland Surgery at their destination (from the Goring, Streatley Monk’s Lane, Newbury and Pangbourne areas), subject to the number of pick-ups, by 1030 – 1100 hrs. ReadiBus provide door-to-door transport to the They then depart for the return journey surgery on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 1300 & 1400 hrs. mornings. Book your transport to the surgery at the same time you make your doctor’s appointment. It For details of services: can all be done in one phone call 0118 931 0000 01635 279972 www.readibus.co.uk www.falklandsurgery.co.uk Email: [email protected]

8 9 H Hospital Travel WHY USE BENEFIT ? THE BUS? If your travel is to a hospital and you are in receipt of Income Support, Family Credit, “USE IT! OR LOSE IT!” Jobseekers or Disability Working Allowance, If more of us catch a bus instead of using our cars or part or full NHS Certification, and you then we can be part of the solution to reducing have the relevant documents with you, the traffic congestion. Buses can also help reduce cost of public transport, private car, or pollution as their engines are required to meet demanding regulations on cleaner exhaust emissions. voluntary car service travel can be refunded Quite simply, the Bus is the ‘green’ choice. at the hospital. CAN I GET THERE BY BUS? A leaflet entitled ‘Help with Health Costs’ Contact Traveline for information on bus routes and (HC11), is available from the Post Office times (Traveline also gives information on coach with information on travel to hospital for and rail services). NHS treatments and other health costs. Most bus companies offer a range of tickets affording greater value for money over the basic For more details please ring 08701 555 455 single fare for travelling around West Berkshire and and ask for ‘HC11’ or visit www.dh.gov.uk further afield. For example, Newbury Buses, who have the largest Berkshire Disability Information route network in West Berkshire, offer a BusAbout ticket that allows a day’s unlimited travel on any Network (bdin) has unfortunately Newbury or service; currently prices been forced to close. The Ark are £7.00 for adults, £5.00 for children, and £14 for Trust Ltd has now taken over the running of the a family. A cheaper variant offers a day’s unlimited travel in the Newbury local zone only; currently these Information Database. All the services offered cost £4.50 for adults, and £1.50 for children. by bdin will now be provided through Dis:Course Weekly tickets are available for regular users. which is a new project supported by The Ark. Please contact operators for details of their fares It is run by disabled people and carers and and any special tickets they may offer; full contact provides a free confidential information service details can be found on pages 12-13. to anyone disabled or associated with disability. Readi id offers savings on bus travel on Reading/ Newbury Buses for 14 - 19 year olds in full time education. For further information/application form, bdin Head Office please contact Reading Buses on: 01189 59400 01344 483311 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.bdin.org.uk

10 11 BUS SERVICE OPERATORS L - Low Floor Buses tend to be used on these services Barnes Coaches 01793 821303 Reading Buses 0118 959 4000 Great Shefford – (Service 82) Greater Reading Town Services Majority L www.barnescoaches.co.uk Reading – Burghfield – Mortimer – (143, 148, 149) Jacs Travel 01635 582929 Purley – Tilehurst – Calcot – Reading (17, 18, 25, Hungerford Town Service (H1) 26, 31, 33, 37, 38) Hungerford – Lambourn (90) L www.reading-buses.co.uk Newbury – Baydon (95) L Stagecoach Bus 01256 464501 Tadley – (1) L Tourist Coaches 01722 338359 Newbury – Penwood – Andover (20, X20) Marlborough – Hungerford & Newbury (222) Newbury – Greenham – Basingstoke (32A) Tadley – Basingstoke (44A) Newbury – Burghclere – Woolton Hill (Cango) L Horseman Coaches 0118 975 3811 Newbury – Ecchinswell – Burghclere – Kingsclere Beech Hill – Reading (154) (Cango) L www.stagecoachbus.com Stewarts of Mortimer 0118 983 1231 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Mortimer Church – Newbury – Thatcham Town Services Some L Mortimer Railway Station (ST) Newbury – New Greenham Park (3A, 3B, 3C) L www.somph.co.uk Newbury – Great Shefford – Lambourn (4) Newbury – (6 & 9) L Thamesdown Transport 01793 428428 Newbury – Kintbury – Hungerford (13) L Hungerford – Aldbourne – (46) Newbury – Greenham – Basingstoke (32) Swindon – Lambourn (47) Newbury – Bradfield – Reading (101) www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk Newbury – Woolhampton – Reading (102) Travel 01491 837 988 Newbury – Tadley – Calcot (104 & 105) L Wallingford – Streatley – Goring (135) Beenham – Hermitage – Newbury (118) L Goring & Streatley – Upper Basildon – Reading (132) L Beenham – – Reading (73) – Pangbourne – Newbury – Yattendon – Ashampstead (99) Reading (142) L Newbury – – (107) www.thames-travel.co.uk www.reading-buses.co.uk Weavaway Travel 01635 820 028 Newbury – Thatcham Evening Town Services National Express 08705 808080 Mon-Thur (10 & 12) L Calcot Coachway (M4 J12) to: – Upper Basildon – Heathrow/Gatwick & other national destinations. Reading (74) Newbury Bus Station to: & Edinburgh (539). Frome & Wilts & 01722 336 855 (402) (the latter also stops at Hungerford A4) Hungerford – Great Bedwyn – Marlborough (20A, www.nationalexpress.com 22, 22A, X2) www.wdbus.co.uk 12 13 West Berkshire Public Service Bus Transport Map

WANTAGE

42 6 & 1

13 32, 135 9 5 1

9 6

6 9

6 99 16 9 28 Road 132 & 142 9 132 & 142 16 6 17 & 18 33, 35 90 90 95 15

95 31, 33 & 35 10 105 1 28 TO BAYDON 90 / 105 MEMBURY 18 28 9, 18, 19, 28, 62 & 144 25 & 26 90 THAMESDOWN 101, 104 & 105 101 & 105 102 HUNGERFORD NEWTOWN Bath Road

104 & 105 ROYAL

11A BERKSHIRE HOSPITAL

44A

GREENHAM PARK / SLATER CENTRE

SERVICES SERVICE SERVICES SERVICE SERVICE 1 & 44A 6, 9 & 11A 46 & 47 31 33 & 38 17 15

SERVICES SERVICES SERVICE SERVICES SERVICE SERVICE 90 & 95 101, 104 & 105 28 25 & 26 18 16 Jacs Travel

08457 48 49 50 08705 808 080 www.nationalrail.co.uk www.nationalexpress.com Textphone: 0845 60 50 600 Disabled Persons Helpline: 0121 423 847 0871 200 2233 Textphone: 0121 455 00 86 National coach tickets sold at the Tourist Information Centre, The Wharf, Newbury. 14 17 For a free national bus pass please return Q. What is the new National Bus Concession? CONCESSIONARY the completed application with suitable A. Since 1st April 2006, eligible bus users have documents of identification (proof of age been guaranteed a minimum of free off-peak FARES SCHEME and address) with one colour passport size local bus travel within the local authority area in photograph to the which they live. But from 1st April 2008, the West Berkshire Council operates address below: new National Bus Concession will enable two concessionary schemes to eligible users to get free off-peak travel on local Concessionary buses anywhere in . help people over the age of 60, Fares Team, The new National Bus and those over the age of 16 Q. Who is eligible for the new concession? West Berkshire (for travel tokens) who are A. If you are aged 60 or over, or registered Council, Concession - affected by one or more of the disabled and live in England, you are eligible. Market Street, disabilities listed below. Applicants must For more information about eligibility, visit Newbury, reside permanently in the West Berkshire www.direct.gov.uk/buspass Berkshire Your questions answered. area. The scheme entitles individuals to Q. When exactly is off-peak travel? choose between a national local off-peak RG14 5LD From 1st April 2008 if you are 60 or over, or registered disabled and live in England, your A. Off peak hours are 9.30am until 11pm Monday bus pass or a supply of travel tokens. Application forms can be – Friday, and all day weekends and bank downloaded from the concessionary bus pass is changing. The new pass will allow you to enjoy free off-peak travel on local holidays. Is blind or partially sighted website address below or buses anywhere in England – make sure you have Q. What is the definition of a ‘local’ bus? obtained from one of the arranged yours so you don’t miss out. Is profoundly or severely deaf centres listed on the opposite A. The definition of a ‘local’ bus will be self- page, or by ringing the Over the next few pages you’ll find more information evident in most cases, but in a few instances could include some longer distance buses and Is without speech Concessionary Fares Team. about the changes to the National Bus Concession. If there’s anything else you need to know, visit coach services where part of their route is Has a disability, or has suffered an injury, Please allow up to 10 working www.direct.gov.uk/buspass registered as a local bus service. If in doubt, pass holders can check with the service which has substantial and long-term days for delivery of your new pass. Some authorities choose to fund additional benefits to operator or local authority that issued the pass. adverse effect on the ability to walk www.westberks.gov.uk/ their residents, e.g. in West Berkshire, residents are transport allowed to use their pass on Readibus and West Q. Will I be able to enjoy free travel everywhere Does not have arms or has long-term loss Berkshire Handybus services. within the UK? of the use of both arms 01635 519800 A. No, the concession will only apply within West Berkshire Council England. Has a learning disability, that is, a state of allows their pass Customers who require the help of a Q. Is it only applicable to buses? arrested or incomplete development of holders to travel carer when travelling on the buses can within West A. The new concession applies just to bus travel mind which includes significant impairment apply for a Companion Bus Pass, Berkshire from but some authorities offer additional services of intelligence and social functioning which entitles the 9.00am to like trains or or travel before 9.30am. customer and their 11pm. Check with your local authority to find out Would, if she or he applied for the grant of assistant to travel exactly what services are covered in your area. a licence to drive a motor vehicle be free only within Q. If I visit an area that offers additional services refused on medical grounds other than on West Berkshire, as will I be entitled to them? the grounds of persistent misuse of drugs it is a local A. Probably not. As a general rule local authorities or alcohol. enhanced scheme. will only provide additional services for their own residents. Some authorities, however, may

18 19 20 21 provide them – check with the relevant authority SHOPMOBILITY in the area to which you intend to travel. Q. I don’t live in London, but I visit relatives there Shopmobility loans out electric scooters and both occasionally. Will I be able to enjoy the same powered and manual wheelchairs – in main town benefits as a Freedom Pass holder if I travel centres – to people who need them for their there? shopping, personal business and/or leisure. A. No. Because those benefits are paid for by the Depending upon the location a small charge may London authorities. Only London Freedom Pass be made for the loan, or a donation may be holders will be able to enjoy additional local accepted. travel on the tube, trains and trams. You will, however, be able to enjoy the statutory national This service is aimed at people who have a mobility problem today. It is just as much for concession of free off-peak bus travel when people who have a short-term mobility problem, visiting the capital. as it is for registered disabled people. Q. Lost/stolen pass? Please note if you would like to register with any A. A fee of £15 will be charged for lost passes. Shopmobility Centres in Newbury, Reading, This fee will be waived if a crime reference Basingstoke or Swindon, you will need two forms number is quoted which can be checked. of identification with your name and address on. Please allow up to 10 working days for replacement. Longer-term loans can sometimes be arranged. NEWBURY Northbrook multi-storey car park (ground floor). TRAVEL TOKENS 01635 523854 The travel tokens are a local West Tuesday – Saturday Berkshire Council scheme. They 09.30 – 16.00 can be used on local buses, trains, community transport, taxis READING (The Oracle) and certain coaches on journeys made Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 17.00 within West Berkshire. Please check Sunday 11.00 – 15.00 with individual operators if they accept travel Also for information on shoppers assistants phone: tokens before making your journey. 0118 959 2020 To obtain your travel tokens, an application form can be collected from West Berkshire Council OTHER NEARBY SCHEMES Offices in Market Street, Newbury; your local Basingstoke West Berkshire library (not Newbury) or (Lower Church Street, by the foot-bridge) Community Information Centre. Please take along Monday – Friday 09.00 – 16.30 with you suitable documents of identification Saturday 09.00 – 16.00 (proof of age and address) in order to collect your Sunday 11.00 – 16.00 travel tokens. Please note travel tokens are 01256 476066 reduced on a quarterly basis with the scheme Swindon (Wyvern Car Park, Islington Street) year starting in April of each year. 01793 512621

22 23 BUSES TO HOSPITALS

IN NEWBURY Call-A-Bus is a different type of bus service operating within West Berkshire. To West Berkshire Community Hospital Like the bus services you are familiar with it has its Newbury Buses 11, 11A & 12, Weavaway own route and timetable. However, it differs in that in certain areas you can ask the driver to divert from Travel 10 & 12. All depart from Newbury Bus the usual route to collect you, or drop you off. You Station & Thatcham Broadway. will need to pre-book these arrangements (for which there is no additional fare!) on 0118 975 3070. Please note: There is a new guide with Call-A-Bus 90 & 95 operate between Hungerford and timings from Newbury bus station and Thatcham Broadway. Lambourn and Upper Lambourn. The areas where Visit www.westberks.gov.uk or call the bus will divert from its route to collect/drop you 01635 503248 for a copy. include Upper Lambourn, Lambourn, Eastbury, East Garston, Membury, Great Shefford, Shefford IN READING Woodlands & Hungerford Newtown. Call-A-Bus is funded by the Government’s Rural Bus All buses in Reading Town Centre follow the Challenge Scheme. one-way bus loop, and serve specific stops around the loop. The stops in Reading are identifiable by a two letter code. The VILLAGE SHOPPER CLUB tables below list the bus stops West Berkshire Council is trialing a “Village Shopper at some key streets on the loop. Club” to help those who do not have access to a local bus service to take them to Newbury for To Royal Berkshire Hospital shopping, etc. Service Station Friar Market Kings The scheme is currently in its infancy so full details Hill Street Place Road are not yet available. To register your interest, or to 9 SK …… MA MF receive a membership form, or just for up to date Reading Buses information, contact the Transport Services team at 18 FL, FS …… West Berkshire on 01635 503248. Reading Buses SJ MF It should be noted that it will not be possible to 19 SJ FS …… ME Reading Buses provide a personal taxi-like service. Also, areas will 28 …… FL, FS …… MF only be served on one day per week or fortnight, and Reading Buses that because of the popularity of Thursday for 42 Reading Buses SC FS …… MF shopping, it will not be possible to serve all areas on 144 that day. Timings will not be negotiable, the service SK …… MA MF will run to a timetable just as a bus service does. Aldworth and are the two villages Please note: Services 18 and 28 serve parts of Calcot, Tilehurst and Purley and may avoid a change of bus in taking part in the trial, and as the scheme is central Reading. expanded, the local parish councils will be informed.

24 25 TAXIS & COMMUNITY CARE PRIVATE HIRE TRANSPORT CARS

West Berkshire Council’s Community Services For contact details of Taxis and Private Hire and Community Care Departments provide Cars please refer to Yellow Pages, or phone any transport to clients living independently in the of the new Directory Enquiry providers. community, or in residential or nursing homes. Taxi Ranks in West Berkshire are located at: Specialised vehicles are used with staff who are friendly, helpful and sensitive to your • Newbury Rail Station (both sides) specific needs. • Newbury Market Place • Newbury Northbrook Street Transport is provided for a variety of activities (by the Clock Tower) including visits to day care centres, medical • Thatcham Broadway centres and outings further afield. It is also Most local taxis and private hire cars will accept provided on behalf of a wide variety of West Berkshire Travel Tokens without a organisations including the Stroke Club, premium being charged. However, do please Friendship Clubs, Dementia Club and Mencap. confirm this before making your journey. To find out if you are eligible for help please phone Monday to Friday (0900 to 1700), the respective section:

• Community Care (disabled, elderly or frail Wheelchair accessible taxis adults): 0845 601 4726 • Children, Young People and Families: 65 Special 01635 33200 01635 503090 www.65specialtaxis.com • People with Learning Disabilities: 01635 520120 Crown Wheelchair 0118 987 6002 • People with Mental Health Problems: Travel 01635 292020 • Physical Disability Team: 01635 523108 Porter’s Taxis 07721 404914 (Mobile) More information is available on the Council’s website www.westberks.gov.uk Taffs Taxi 07818 426011 (Mobile) 26 27 BRITISH RED CROSS SOUTH CENTRAL The British Red Cross offers three types of Transport to people who cannot use public AMBULANCE services. SERVICE 1. Volunteers, using their own cars, offer a service to those able to walk to and from NHS TRUST a car. As well as providing the emergency BUS ambulance service, The South Central 2. Disabled Passenger Vehicles are able to Ambulance Service NHS Trust also carry people in their wheelchairs together provides a home-to-hospital service, with seated passengers. based on medical need, for people attending appointments. 3. Ambulances are available for those requiring a stretcher or specialist medical Wherever possible patients should use public equipment transport or ask a friend to help. Ambulances are much in demand and hence only people with Group trips and outings can be arranged. very specific needs can be helped in this way. Long distance journeys to and from anywhere in the country can be provided. The booking of an ambulance is made by your Because of the need to co-ordinate doctor’s practice or by your hospital clinic and at volunteer drivers, at least one week’s least 24 hours notice must be given. notice should be given. Escorts can be carried but only if there is a medical need for a patient to be accompanied. All transport needs are booked and co-ordinated from the Berkshire If, for any reason, a patient cannot travel when Branch HQ in Reading: arranged, the doctor’s practice or the hospital clinic should be told. They can then cancel this 0118 929 0500 booking. Mondays-Fridays 09.00 – 17.00 More information can be found at www.redcross.org.uk www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk or 0118 936 5500 28 29 RAIL SERVICES

Penalty Fare Station

Train information Combined ‘TrainBus’ tickets are now available National Rail Enquiries: for travel by train and on local buses in Newbury/Thatcham, Reading and Basingstoke. 08457 48 49 50 For details ask at the ticket office. Or phone: National Rail Enquiries Minicom service: 0845 7000 125 0845 60 50 600 (First Great Western) (24 Hours, Local Call) www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

TrainTracker Text For more information on combined Real-time information to your ‘TrainBus’ tickets go to mobile. See the website below for more details. www.plusbus.info www.nationalrail.co.uk Continued overleaf... 30 31 ACCESSIBLE RAILWAY STATIONS (Level access to all platforms), USEFUL Bedwyn (Ramp from Reading direction platform), TRANSPORT Parkway (Lifts to platforms 2, 3, 4 & 5. Platform 1 little used), TELEPHONE Goring & Streatley (Level access to Reading bound platform only), NUMBERS Hungerford (Ramp to Reading direction platform), Kintbury (Ramp to Bedwyn direction platform), USEFUL TRANSPORT TELEPHONE NUMBERS Midgham Traveline...... 0871 200 2233 (Level access to Reading bound platform only), Public transport & timetable information www.traveline.info Mortimer National Rail Enquires.....0845 748 4950 (Level access to Reading bound platform only), (Textphone) 0845 605 0600 Newbury (Level access to platform 3 adjacent to www.nationalrail.co.uk platform 2), National Express Coach..0870 580 8080 Pangbourne (Minicom users) 0121 455 0086 (Level access to Reading Bound platform only), www.nationalexpress.com Reading (Lifts to all platforms), Thatcham (Ramp to Reading bound platform) OTHER TRANSPORT PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION 24 hours notice is required from all passengers needing assistance at manned stations and on trains. Due to the difference in height between platforms and trains, wheelchair bound passengers need a ramp from the platform Bus timetables, cycling maps and walking to enter and leave a train. guides are available from West Berkshire Council offices, libraries, Tourist information Centre and other outlets. Disabled Customer Help: First Great Western 0800 197 1329

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