Taxis and private hire cars can be booked in advance to provide a door-to-door service, and many drivers will help passengers get in and out of the vehicle. If you can transfer out of your wheelchair, and your wheelchair can be folded, most companies will carry it in the boot free of charge.
National Express operate long-distance coach journeys throughout the country. Coaches serving the Borough connect with other services at London's Victoria Coach Station, which is managed by Transport for London. Most National Express coaches are wheelchair accessible, and all will be by the end of 2012. If you use a manual wheelchair and are able to transfer to a seat, your wheelchair will be carried free of charge. Powered wheelchairs cannot presently be carried, but check with the Helpline (below) since it may be possible to accommodate smaller mobility scooters in certain cirumstances. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are carried free of charge on all coach services.
If you are over 60 you can buy a Senior Coachcard, or if disabled you can buy a Disabled Coachcard. Both cost £10 per year and give you 1/3 off all fares in that year.
If you need assistance with your journey, you should book at least seven days in advance. You can do this online at www.nationalexpress.com/coach.
National Express Disabled Persons' Travel Helpline: telephone 08717 818179, textphone 0121 423 8479.