I have learned, in the past 7 weeks since breaking my leg and renting a mobility scooter, about Zen and the Art of Motor Scooter Patience. But sometimes that patience is pushed to the breaking point, and now, I’m afraid, I must rant.
I am living in central London. A friend invited me go out to her home near Basingstoke Station tomorrow. The train line is run by South Western Railway. As I have learned to do, I checked the company’s website to verify accessibility, and this is what I found:
“If you wish to take a scooter on our trains, you’ll need to complete a Scooter Card application form – please allow 7 to 10 working days.” [my emphasis]
It did, however, say that alternatively you can call their Assisted Travel team, so I did.
They politely informed me that I do indeed need the official Scooter Card before I can ride the trains, and there is no way to expedite the process. If I simply show up at the station they will refuse to let me board. So much for tomorrow.
But wait, there’s more! Let’s look at the the form. After asking for name, address and phone number it asks:
You mean I will always have to start from the same station? What about when I’m coming back? Am I supposed to get a separate Scooter Card each time I want to travel (with 7-10 business days wait each time)?
Why do they need the make and model if I answer the questions about weight and dimensions?
Why in heaven’s name do they care about the colour?
230 kg is 507 pounds. I can’t imagine there would be many people who would not fall under that weight limit. But OK, if they are concerned about that, they could easily have us sign a waiver when booking the train ticket.
Why are 3 wheeled scooters allowed to be longer and wider than 4 wheeled ones? Surely either they fit on the ramp, through the doors and along to a seat or they don’t, regardless of how many wheels.
Interestingly, none of the theatres, museums, restaurants, taxis and busses that I’ve been inside felt a need for a weigh-in before letting me up their ramps.
Ok, so now this is starting to get ridiculous. Why do they need my photo? What am I, a convicted felon?
Why the scooter photo and specs pages? Do they think we lied about the dimensions and weight? Or that we are too stupid to be trusted to get it right?
Now for the piece de resistance:
Print and snail mail it????? (And we’ll also have to make a trip to the post office, because the package will not be a standard weight with all that in it.)
Shame on you, South Western Railway.
(Image credit: By Benspiersphotos [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons)
