forward Mid Logo looks like a knitted fabric top green and the bottom blue is a right pointing arrow with Forward underlined in green and Mid underlined in blue.
By sharing information on issues that affect disabled people.
By actively promoting the rights of disabled people.
By working in partnership with public and private sector organisation’s in representing the interests of disabled people.
Forward Mid works with Midlothian Council Travel Team and local bus companies to bring you the best suggestions for travelling around in Midlothian and further afield
Lothian Buses was the first operator to invest in the on-bus equipment and for years Bustracker has only given details of Lothian Buses’ services. SEStran, the Regional Transport Partnership for South-East Scotland, has funded an expansion of Bustracker equipment for other operators and in future we expect to see the system expand to embrace these other bus operators. You can also follow Lothian Buses on Facebook 
and Twitter 
. The collected data is processed at the control centre in Edinburgh and is then made available to the public in three different ways:-
Bustracker on the web – visit www.mybustracker.co.uk and you can check real-time departures at your stop, check bus stop locations and see full bus timetables.Lothian Buses want to make traveling on every Lothian buses easier for everyone, including passengers with disabilities and those with young children and foldable buggies. Since 2000, Lothian Buses have introduced easy access buses across our network and are now happy to announce that all Lothian buses are easy access.
This means Lothian buses feature:
Upon boarding a Lothian bus inform the driver of the stop you wish to get off so the bus can stop at the correct point for the ramps to extend, The driver may advise that this stop is suitable as the pavement may not be wide enough, the driver has assisted in wheelchair access many times and the advise is usually accurate.
After boarding one of our buses please ensure you:
If there is no wheelchair user on the bus, other passengers or one unfolded buggy may occupy the wheelchair space. Please note that wheelchair users have priority over everyone else for use of the wheelchair space, since this is the only space in which they can travel safely. Whenever the space is required by a wheelchair user, other passengers must move to make it available, and any buggies must be folded and stored safely elsewhere.
Lothian Buses 60 new standard Lothian Buses double deck vehicles also have a wheelchair and buggy space (buses from 2011).
In the event of a bus breakdown a replacement bus may not have a buggy space.
For everyone’s comfort and safety, we are unable to accommodate electric scooters, prams or any mobility/toddler transport device that is not foldable on our buses. By “foldable” it is meant collapsible as a single unit and therefore not of the type which can be dismantled into a wheeled frame with one or more other separate elements. If in doubt, the driver will tell you if you are unable to travel safely on our buses.
For those who need that extra help to make their journey, the SEStran Thistle Assistance Card is available to help anyone who has difficulty in using public transport because of age, disability or illness. It's free and is available at all our Travelshops and Park & Ride sites as well as a range of outlets across South East Scotland, including; local authorities, bus operators, GP surgeries and Health Centre's. www.thistleassistance.com.
As part of our commitment to providing accessible travel for wheelchair users virtually all our buses have a dedicated area for wheelchair users; other passengers are asked to give up the space for wheelchairs.
The SEStran Thistle Assistance Card is available to help anyone who has difficulty in using public transport because of age, disability or illness. www.thistleassistance.com/
The SEStran Thistle card is designed to make using public transport easier for older people or those with disabilities or illness. The card, which is supported by a wide variety of voluntary organisation in South East Scotland and by most bus operators, is credit-card sized and comes with a supply of peel-off stickers, which advise the driver of your disability and the help you need in an easy-to-read format.
The SEStran cards are available from:
It has been over half a century since there has been a working railway in Midlothian to Edinburgh or the Scottish Borders.
The railway operates a half hourly service between Tweedbank and Edinburgh Waverley. If you travel to Edinburgh you will find connections to the rest of the rail network.
Tickets can be bought in advance from www.scotrail.co.uk, by calling the ScotRail Telesales team on 0344 811 0141 between 0700 and 2200, seven days a week.
Disabled Assistance If you would benefit from a little extra help when using the trains, you can arrange disabled assistance by advising ScotRail at least 24 hours in advance by:
Edinburgh Waverley is the only staffed station on the Borders’ Railway line, in order to provide disabled assistance at all other stations from Brunstane to Tweedbank, there will be a set of ramps on each train managed by the train conductor. To ensure you can travel please complete the assistance request form www.scotrail.co.uk/form/assisted-travel. The wheelchair accommodation on trains is restricted to standard wheelchairs not exceeding 70cm wide, 120cm long and with a combined weight of less than 300 kilograms of user and wheelchair. These dimensions are in accordance with Interoperability PRM-TSI legislation. (Technical specifications for interoperability relating to accessibility of the Union’s rail system for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility).
If you hold a bus pass with an “eye” symbol on the front, then you are eligible to travel free on trains throughout Scotland, including journeys starting/ending at the four Midlothian stations. If you hold a valid Midlothian Taxicard, then you can present this for free travel by train but only within the Edinburgh and three Lothian’s area including Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange and Gorebridge. The Midlothian Taxicard is not valid for travel south of Gorebridge.
In both cases, you do not need to obtain a rail ticket from the station travel office. Show the card at the gate barrier. Do not attempt to enter via one of the automatic gates. Do not try to push your NEC or Midlothian Taxicard into the slot on the automatic gates – it will damage your card and may put the automatic gate out of action for other travellers. Instead, approach one of the staff at the manually controlled gate and show your card. Where there is no gate, show the card to the conductor on the train.
This scheme was created in the year 2000 and applies to blind persons resident anywhere in Scotland including Midlothian. Cardholders enjoy free travel on buses, trains, ferries, Glasgow Subway and Edinburgh Trams for themselves. There is free travel for a companion on buses [denoted by the two symbols of an eye and a “+1” on the card], but this companion entitlement does not extend to the other modes. SBS is financially supported by the 32 Scottish local authorities, but as far as the cardholder is concerned, the scheme is co-produced with the Scottish Government using their National Entitlement Card [NEC]. Application forms are available at all Midlothian libraries where completed forms must be handed in by the applicant in person [part of the process of verification is that the face of the applicant and the photo image supplied must be cross-checked by the librarian before the application is accepted].
If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult you might qualify for the Disabled Persons Railcard. The Disabled Persons Railcard allows you to get 1/3 off most rail fares throughout Great Britain. If you’re travelling with an adult companion they also can get 1/3 off their rail fare. It costs £20 for a one-year Railcard. £54 for a three-year Railcard.
You can apply online at www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/
There is a robust campaign for the extension of the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick and ultimately Carlisle. Revenue from passenger trains alone may not be sufficient to make a business case for the southern end of the line. Any feasibility study will need to look at the contribution freight trains could make, particularly bringing out timber from the Kielder Forest area.
A Steam Train Experience occasionally run on the borders railway. Each service will feature both first and standard class options on board the trains recently refurbished carriages, and is the perfect way to experience the new borders railway.
ScotRail will confirm dates and prices for their journeys. For more information please visit www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-by-rail/steam-trains
6 Miles from Edinburgh Waverley and 27 Miles from Galashiels.
Shawfair Station will eventually be at the heart of the new town centre planned for the south east of Edinburgh. Unless the there is a change of the boundary of Edinburgh City, Shawfair will be part of Midlothian. It will provide excellent interchange facilities with buses and links to an extensive path and cycle network. The site will also features a 24 hour customer help point system on the platform.
Step free access via ramp or path. Two platforms with sheltered waiting areas.
Free car parking facilities with approximately 59 available spaces 24 hour CCTV for both station and car park which are closely monitored from regional control rooms.
Sheltered cycle storage facilities for approximately 10 bikes.
Automated ticket vending machines
9 Miles from Edinburgh Waverley and 24 Miles from Galashiels
Close to Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith, Edinburgh College Dalkeith and the Midlothian Community Hospital.
The site will also feature a 24 hour customer help point system on the platform.
Step free access via ramp or path. One platform, with sheltered waiting area
Free car parking facilities with approximately 159 available spaces 24 hour CCTV for both station and car park which are closely monitored from regional control rooms.
Sheltered cycle storage facilities for approximately 12 bikes
Automated ticket vending machines
11 Miles from Edinburgh Waverley and 22 Miles from Galashiels
This station is near the National Mining Museum. The Lady Victoria Colliery, a major Scottish visitor attraction, can be accessed directly from the A7.
The site features a 24 hour customer help point system on the platform.
Step free access via ramp or path. One platform, with sheltered waiting area
Free car parking facilities with approximately 55 available spaces 24 hour CCTV for both station and car park which are closely monitored from regional control rooms.
Sheltered cycle storage facilities for approximately 10 bikes
Automated ticket vending machines
13 Miles from Edinburgh Waverley and 20 Miles from Galashiels
Located at the previous station site, the new Gorebridge station is close to Gorebridge town centre.
The site will feature a 24 hour customer help point system on the platform.
Step free access via ramp or path. One platform, with sheltered waiting area.
Free car parking facilities with approximately 73 available spaces 24 hour CCTV for both station and car park which are closely monitored from regional control rooms.
Sheltered cycle storage facilities for approximately 10 bikes.
Automated ticket vending machines
Forward Mid works with Midlothian Council transport team and local Taxi companies to bring you the best suggestions for travelling around in Midlothian and Further afield
When ordering a Taxi or Mini Cab please make the company aware of any special requirements you need for the journey, Taxi's and Mini cabs are operated by individuals and size or type of vehicle must be agreed before being dispatched. The maximum requirements for carriage of a wheelchair is 700 millimetres wide or 27 inches wide and 1200 Millimetres long 47 inches long, all ramps in taxis are restricted by weight limit as well but this is different for every make of taxi or Mini cab. It is not the driver of the vehicle provision to size or weigh a wheelchair, Forward Mid are trying to find a method where size and weight are applied to every wheelchair to stop discrimination. This sign 
indicates that a wheelchair can be accommodated, please check with taxi or private hire company what size of wheelchair they can accommodate at time of booking. If you do not know the combined weight of your wheelchair with you seated, the community hospital can weigh you in your wheelchair.
Bonnyrigg Taxis
: 07761 075 528
Town and Country
: 0131-663-2666/663 2666
United Private Hire
: 0131-660-0011
P J's Kabs
: 0131 654 0154
Zaks Taxis
: 131 663 0118
RCD Travel
: 0131 663 6526
1212 Taxi
: 0131-654-1212
Ariel ABW Cabs
: 0131 663 2000/3232/9666
Midlothian Private Hire
midlothianprivatehiretaxis.co.uk
: 0131 660 0090/ 454-0300
Dalkeith Taxis
: 07917 469 129
Freewheeler Taxis
: 0131-660-3880
D&D Private Hire
: 01875-820-477
Gore Cabs
: 01875-822-233
Chauffeur Drive
: 0131 440 1192
Fountain Private Hire
: 0131 440 1688/3896
County Private Hire
www.facebook.com/MidlothianCounty
: 0131 333 3000
Swift Taxis
: 0131 654 1004/1031
FM Private Hire
www.edinburghairport-taxis.com/
: 01968 677 370
RA Private hire
: 07541-256-473
Central Radio Taxis
: 0131-229-2468
Capital Cars
www.capitalcarsscotland.co.uk/
: 0131 777 7777
City Cabs
: 0131-228-1211
Midlothian Council helps to fund a special door-to-door for people who have mobility restrictions. This includes those who cannot physically manage to board a standard bus vehicle, as well as those who live too far from a standard bus service to reach comfortably, Dial-A-Ride is operated by Handicabs. You have to register with Handicabs too use Dial-A-Ride.
For booking and enquires : 0131 447 9949
Scottish Disability Equality Forum is proud to launch the Accessible Travel Hub. The Hub is a place for you to find information, articles and guidance on Accessible Travel anywhere in Scotland. http://accessibletravel.scot/
Some people find traveling a strain, if you are disabled that strain could get a lot worse. It could be something simple as a delay in traveling and this has a knock on effect for a diabetic as now the carbohydrate intake is affected, to being in a wheelchair and a replacement form of transport is used only to find out it has no wheelchair facilities. Here you will some tips on traveling beyond Midlothian
For passengers with walking difficulties, the driver will assist you to climb a few steps into the bus and help you into your seat. You should purchase your ticket at Citylink in the usual way. However, if you normally use a wheelchair and you need to remain in it for your trip, please DO NOT PURCHASE your ticket on the website. Fully accessible coaches are being introduced across our network.
if you are a wheelchair user please call 0141 332 9841. Fully accessible coaches are being introduced across our network. Scottish Citylink now operate wheelchair accessible coaches on a selection of journeys, these coaches allow direct access for manual wheelchairs, battery powered wheelchairs cannot be carried.
For more information www.citylink.co.uk opens a new tab
The majority of National Express coach services are now operated by fully wheelchair-accessible coaches which can convey a passenger in their wheelchair. Wheelchairs must be no larger than 1200mm * 700mm in size and be capable of being fully secured in the coach. For safety reasons, we therefore recommend that booking is made 36 hours in advance of travel so that we can check wheelchair compatibility. Customers can however travel on the day but we will still need to assess wheelchairs before setting off. For customers who can transfer from their wheelchair to the coach seat, we will accept lightweight manual wheelchairs for travel, subject to them being capably and safely stowed in the luggage hold of the coach. We regret that we are unable to accept manual wheelchairs that are more than 20kgs in weight. Mobility scooters can also be stowed, but they must be capable of being dismantled for carriage in the luggage hold. The heaviest part must not exceed 20kgs in weight. We strongly advise that you check with our Assisted Travel Helpline before travelling. Bookings and wheelchair/ scooter assessments can be arranged through our Assisted Travel helpline on 08717 818179 (calls cost 10ppm plus network extras) open between 08.00 and 20.00 Sunday to Saturday. Carriage and assistance is approved in accordance with our published code of practice, titled ‘Serving our Disabled Customers’ and available upon request from our Assisted Travel Helpline or at www.nationalexpress.com
Our Assisted Travel Helpline is available by calling : 08717 818179 and is open every day from 8 in the morning until 8 at night, 7 days a week (calls charged at 10p per minute plus network extras). Our dedicated team can give journey details, take reservations, sell tickets, agree the level of assistance required at each stage of your journey and advise on what can be provided. To make a reservation, contact our Disabled Persons Travel Help line on 08717 818178. A text phone is provided for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing on 
0121 455 0086 for more information www.nationalexpress.com
Arrangements can be made for disabled passengers. We can usually arrange for staff to meet you at your departure station, accompany you to the train and see you safely on board. Similar arrangements can be made at your destination station and other stations if you need to change trains. For example, ramps can be provided for wheelchair users. We do not normally provide assistance at unstaffed stations, but if you need help alighting, let the Conductor/Ticket Examiner onboard know. ScotRail train services normally have staff available to help and all trains carry a portable ramp. For more information contact www.scotrail.co.uk and type in the name of the rail station.
There are a limited number of spaces available to wheelchair users on each train, it is important therefore that you recommend that customers book their space in advance.
Because scooters come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, many have problems on trains, including: tipping backwards on ramps; being heavier than the ramp's safe working load; or being the wrong shape to manoeuvre safely inside a carriage. These problems mean that some companies have trains that cannot carry scooters. So if you are a scooter-user who wants to travel by rail, you should contact the train company to check they can safely accommodate your scooter.
Please remember to contact us to confirm that all the stations and trains you want to use are accessible. If you require assistance please let them know at least 24 hours in advance. ScotRail Enquiries: 0800 912 2 901.
When you book, always tell your airline, travel agent or tour operator if you need assistance when you travel. Always get the name of a person who is responsible for the needs of anyone needing assistance. If you need assistance from airport or airline staff at any stage of your journey, you should always request this at least 48 hours before you fly. Airlines may ask you to complete an Incapacitated Passengers Handling Advice (INCAD) form and/or a Medical Information Form (MEDIF). These are standard forms used by many airlines to help staff organise any assistance or equipment you may need during your journey and to decide whether you are fit to fly. With some airlines, the INCAD and MEDIF are two parts of the same form.You can fill in the INCAD form yourself, but the MEDIF form must be completed by your doctor.You should contact the airline and discuss your disability or medical condition with them – even if your doctor says you are fit to fly – as different airlines have different policies about carrying disabled passengers and people with medical conditions. The airline will be able to give you any forms they require you to complete. You can also get these forms from some travel agents. Make sure these forms are filled in and that you keep a copy for your records.
Medical conditions that require MEDIF form and or INCAD form: Uncomplicated myocardial infarction, especially if you require oxygen. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis, especially if you had surgery for DVT or who have had DVT and are obese. Respiratory disease, especially if you require oxygen. Pregnancy, approaching 36 weeks or after. Ear, nose and throat problems, especially active middle-ear infections. Contagious infectious disease, you will not be allowed to travel if you have Tuberculosis, some other contagious medical conditions will be on a one to one evaluation. Diabetes mellitus does not require these forms to fly, insulin diabetics are normally required to have a letter of authorisation from their doctor to allow carriage of needles in their hand luggage.
Wheelchair Air Travel, Electric wheelchairs or Scooters cannot be carried, manual wheelchairs can be carried however getting insurance to take a wheelchair abroad is not readily available and are not normally covered on travel insurance. If possible ask you travel agent to hire a wheelchair to meet you at your destination, Check with the Red Cross as they can sometimes supply the hire of a wheelchair whilst abroad. A wheelchair stowage/carry bag will help protect your wheelchair from damage.
These are guideline for traveling, when you get to your destination it will be different from the area you have come from and attitudes to disabled people vary greatly from country to country.
8 Wheelchair Travellers share their knowledge on how they packed and travelled all over the world.
It’s no secret that a wheelchair makes packing a bit more complicated, but that doesn’t need to stop you from traveling!
To inspire more wheelchair users to travel and to improve everyone’s packing, we have talked with 8 experienced wheelchair travelers and asked them to share their best advice.
mightygoods.com/wheelchair-travelers/
A list of countries that may or may not require visa to visit, this list changes daily, it is advised that you check the day before you travel for any additional information please visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Over the years, travel for disabled people has become easier. It has not become simpler, but with the advance of technology, traveling for disabled people is not as much as a hassle anymore. In the United States of America , going around for disabled people has become easier. A lot of buildings in the U.S.A. have wheelchair access and these buildings are equipped with elevators that have braille signs. Almost everywhere, there are parking places that are reserved for disabled drivers (take your blue badge). To make life comfortable for disabled people, some television shows feature hearing impaired captions. With lots of accessible improvements in the U.S., many more tourists with disabilities have found it easier to travel to the U.S.
Airport Terminals can accommodate disabled travelers, but when making travel arrangements, it is better to let the airlines know of the kind of services you require to allow them to serve you better. Also, it will be better to inform them in advance, so as not to put them on the spot when reaching the airport terminal. It is important to be clear when describing your disability to the airline’s staff, so that they will be able to accommodate you with the required facilities to make your travel comfortable. To avoid dealing with all that, there are special travel agencies that can make all these arrangements for you as they are specially trained to help travelers with disabilities. If you decide to travel without the help of a special travel agency, it’s better to be clear when it comes to describing the kind of accessibility that you will need once reaching the U.S.A. Remember that airlines and airports have different kinds of services for disabled people, please inform your airline a second time at least 48 hours before your flight.
The accommodations and services for disabled people start from getting on the airplane to travel to the U.S.A. Booking direct flights to the U.S.A. will make your travel easier and much more comfortable. Traveling via connecting flights will be a pain to deal with and will also be a hassle for you to get on and off these flights. But, if a direct flight proves to be too long for the disabled travelers, they can choose to travel through connecting flights to make the journey more comfortable for them. For disabled travelers, one of the most important steps before heading out to the airport is to make sure that all the necessary medical equipment, medications and supplies that they require have been packed and nothing important has been left behind.
If you are traveling with your own wheelchair, then you have to let your airline know beforehand to make the necessary arrangements to transport your wheelchair or any other mobility aids that will help you move around in the U.S.A. Special wheelchair insurance is required. Upon arrival at the U.S. immigration, screening officers will inspect your wheelchair as you go through security. If you have booked and are hiring a wheelchair that will be available to you when you reach the U.S. airport, make sure to be specific in the kind of wheelchair that you need otherwise you will end up with the kind of wheelchair that you didn’t expect. For the best wheelchair assistance, disabled travelers have to request it when making their reservations and they should be very specific on the kind of wheelchairs that they are looking for. If the arrangements were not made before stepping on the plane, travelers can ask the flight attendant to help them before the plane lands in the U.S.A. Other than that, travelers can still ask a skycap or an agent at their airline’s ticket counter at the airport for help.
Not all airlines have special services for the disabled, but the ones that do, those are the airlines that the disabled travelers should consider traveling in. Airlines such as Air Canada, Continental Airlines, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic have a range of accessibility services for disabled travelers. Some of the services include support at the airport and assistance on board, service animals are allowed, support for mobility impaired people, spacious adapted toilets and many more. Traveling by plane is a time-consuming endeavour, but if you plan well in advance, airline representatives or travel agents will be able to help you have a comfortable and relaxing journey to the United States of America.
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