Did you know you can request assistance when you are travelling by train with anxiety?
Train travel can involve busy stations, platform changes, crowds, noise and unfamiliar routes. For some passengers with anxiety, this can create extra barriers before the journey has even started.
Passenger Assistance is there if requesting support before you travel helps you feel more prepared.
Some people prefer to plan ahead. Some people use Turn Up and Go. Others travel spontaneously.
All of these choices are valid.
What support can you request?
You can request support that works for your journey.
This might include:
- help finding the right platform
- support moving through the station
- clear information from staff
- help changing trains
- extra time to board
- support if plans change
- help finding where to go when you arrive
You can also add notes in your own words.
This can help staff understand what support has been requested before you arrive.
How Passenger Assistance can help
Passenger Assistance gives you a way to share your access needs before you travel.
You can request assistance through the Passenger Assistance app or Webサイト. The app is the easiest way to keep your profile, journey details and assistance requests in one place.
Your request is then sent to the train company supporting your journey.
For a step-by-step guide, read our blog: How to use Passenger Assistance.
Planning ahead if it helps you
Some passengers find it helpful to know what to expect before they travel.
You may want to check your route, journey time, station facilities or where to go when you arrive.
Passenger Assistance can help by keeping your journey and assistance request in one place. This can make the process feel clearer and more manageable.
Using Ask PA
You can also use Ask PA, the Passenger Assistance WhatsApp service.
Ask PA can help you check station accessibility information, manage your assistance request and get updates while travelling.
This can be useful if you want quick answers before or during your journey.
Read more in our blog: Train assistance on WhatsApp: how to use Ask PA.
Do I have to request assistance?
No.
Passenger Assistance does not replace Turn Up and Go.
Disabled passengers and people with access needs still have the right to travel by train without requesting assistance in advance.
Passenger Assistance simply gives you another option if planning ahead works better for you.
Start using Passenger Assistance
Travelling by train with anxiety should come with clear information, choice and support.
To request assistance for your next train journey, visit passengerassistance.com or download the Passenger Assistance app.