Mobility Scooters on Northern Question

[pinkmarie80]

A power chair is not an option for everyone. It was not an option for mum at the time as she could not afford it. Not everyone with physical disabilities gets PIP etc. She was able to keep her scooter in a purpose built shelter outside but that would not have been suitable for a power chair. Plus not everyone is lucky enough to
have a living space big enough to accommodate one.

 

[tpjm]

I would have thought it should be possible to computer model that these days though, including modelling for different stations.

Unfortunately, this post sums up the lack of understanding that the outside world has of the UK rail infrastructure.

There's a particular station that I've done a lot of work at to ensure accessibility for new rolling stock. The gauging data would suggest that the platform is largely compliant and would have no issues deploying a ramp - real world, you wouldn't even attempt it.

Nothing beats physically going to look at the environment.

 

[Lincoln]

A power chair is not an option for everyone. It was not an option for mum at the time as she could not afford it. Not everyone with physical disabilities gets PIP etc. She was able to keep her scooter in a purpose built shelter outside but that would not have been suitable for a power chair. Plus not everyone is lucky enough to
have a living space big enough to accommodate one.

You may as well be talking to yourself. There are those on here who do not have any empathy and refuse to understand that there is a whole gamut of disabilities out there. For them, the situation is quite simple; being deliberately obtuse over the whole matter. Wheelchair=disabled, mobility scooter=lazy.

Once pacers are rid of and the issue with rolling stick ceases, perhaps Northern could adopt a simple scheme where each scooter is assessed and the user issued with an authority to board card, if the dimensions and turning circle fit certain parameters. Other train companies do this so they could follow suit.

 

[krus_aragon]

Mind you he works out in a gym so god knows why he insists on riding around town on one

A relative of mine (who does not use a mobility scooter - yet) has early-onset arthritis, and goes to gyms and swimming pools three times a week to keep her joints mobile and stop things getting worse (even though it's painful).

 

[Tetchytyke]

A power chair is not an option for everyone. It was not an option for mum at the time as she could not afford it. Not everyone with physical disabilities gets PIP etc.

I'm sorry to hear that, though if you can afford a scooter you can afford a power chair. As for PIP, it's harder to get these days if you can walk a short distance but not a longer distance, which does complicate things.

However a scooter is not a wheelchair and is designed for longer-distance outdoor use. It is not designed for use in confined spaces- they are too big, too heavy, and lack the maneuverability of a chair. It's very similar to how you can take a bicycle into a train but not a motorcycle. Or, indeed, why your mum wouldn't ride around her house in a mobility scooter.

Nexus were right, just as Northern are, difficult as that might have been for people who bought a scooter and not a power chair.

 

[tpjm]

I would also like to add that as someone who has been involved in mobility scooter testing for new rolling stock in the North*, our goal is to prove compatibility, vs. disproving it. Our focus is to make life as easy as possible for our customers to access the train, but obviously in a way that doesn't make it unsafe for the customer who is using the scooter, other customers and our colleagues. We check, in principal, to ensure that the scooter (when loaded) isn't too heavy for the ramp, is able to navigate the on-board environment, and has a turning circle capable of getting back off again.

(*which did include me driving one back to the hire place across central Manchester during Friday morning rush-hour... more difficult than you might think!)

 

[roadie]

I'm sorry to hear that, though if you can afford a scooter you can afford a power chair. As for PIP, it's harder to get these days if you can walk a short distance but not a longer distance, which does complicate things.

However a scooter is not a wheelchair and is designed for longer-distance outdoor use. It is not designed for use in confined spaces- they are too big, too heavy, and lack the maneuverability of a chair. It's very similar to how you can take a bicycle into a train but not a motorcycle. Or, indeed, why your mum wouldn't ride around her house in a mobility scooter.

Nexus were right, just as Northern are, difficult as that might have been for people who bought a scooter and not a power chair.

I don't know why you think power chairs are light compared with scooters? Power chairs are often 50Kg+ whereas electric scooters are often less than 30Kg. I don't know if you have tried out a modern scooter but you will find them pretty nimble. The biggest issue is occasionally ground clearance for more compact models, but they do have better stability front to back for going up and down ramps. The starting price for a powerchair is also a couple of £100 more than a scooter, and heading to £10000+ for specialised model! Presumably you tried out a powerchair in a confined space such as your house as you will generally find that you need to do a fair bit of furniture moving/disposal to give them access unless you live a minimalist open plan building.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I would also like to add that as someone who has been involved in mobility scooter testing for new rolling stock in the North*, our goal is to prove compatibility, vs. disproving it.

Indeed. I'd expect the newer trains to be able to accommodate them in a way a Pacer really couldn't. Similarly I'd expect the new Metro trains to accommodate them in a way the current ones can't.

I don't know if you have tried out a modern scooter but you will find them pretty nimble.

They are nimble, but they can't spin on their own axis, unlike most power chairs. Which in older trains is the problem.