Virgin Train

[AFQuaid 18]

What else can go wrong for us huh?

Well the transportation I had booked 2 months ago phoned me up today to say they may or maynot be able to take me to London for my interview on Wednesday and take me back. They'll have a quote and decision tomorrow (the quote is increasing from £650 to near £1000) just for a wheelchair access vehicle with driver!

So I need to come up with an alternative and FAST. This company has left things to the last minute to "have a problem" with the arrangement now.

I googled the internet for "black cabs" but could only find London tour ones. I found other companys similar to the above but weren't in Manchester.

Next and last option I try the train and found something called "Virgin Trains" that say they have wheelchair access onto the trains and plateforms. But that isn't the problem now, we have NO idea where we go when we hit London Euston station and how to get back to it when we're done. Anybody know?Can provide me with a map? Info?

Plus in and around the embassy are they're any black cabs parked ready for any customers? I "think" there is but I want to be sure where exactly they are so I can hop in one to go to the medical center.

This WHOLE thing is turning out to be a last minute disaster and if I cannot find a way to get to London and around safely without getting stranded either at plateforms or elsewhere then I'm going to have to reschedule the whole day. The transport company has REALLY landed us in it! I'm furious and very upset.

HELP anybody who knows about trains Can't take anymore.

Fiona

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

What else can go wrong for us huh?

Well the transportation I had booked 2 months ago phoned me up today to say they may or maynot be able to take me to London for my interview on Wednesday and take me back. They'll have a quote and decision tomorrow (the quote is increasing from £650 to near £1000) just for a wheelchair access vehicle with driver!

So I need to come up with an alternative and FAST. This company has left things to the last minute to "have a problem" with the arrangement now.

I googled the internet for "black cabs" but could only find London tour ones. I found other companys similar to the above but weren't in Manchester.

Next and last option I try the train and found something called "Virgin Trains" that say they have wheelchair access onto the trains and plateforms. But that isn't the problem now, we have NO idea where we go when we hit London Euston station and how to get back to it when we're done. Anybody know?Can provide me with a map? Info?

Plus in and around the embassy are they're any black cabs parked ready for any customers? I "think" there is but I want to be sure where exactly they are so I can hop in one to go to the medical center.

This WHOLE thing is turning out to be a last minute disaster and if I cannot find a way to get to London and around safely without getting stranded either at plateforms or elsewhere then I'm going to have to reschedule the whole day. The transport company has REALLY landed us in it! I'm furious and very upset.

HELP anybody who knows about trains Can't take anymore.

Fiona

They quoted it at one price and now want to raise it? Oh my goodness, I would give them one helluva an earfull! Do you have anything in writing from them?

[AFQuaid 18]

Unfortunitely not, it was an "in-person" arrangement and several talks over the phone which were all fine until today. Something to do with policies of having multiple drivers because of the long trip is making the price higher. This company has taken me several places before with NO PROBLEM! And even bragged about how they've taken many other people to London for several reasons but when it came to me apparently it's an issue.

[Boiler 45,516]

I loloked at the price and thought How Much!

Maybe if it ws a Roll Royce?

Options:

1. Rent a car for the day, something big enough for the wheel chair.

2. Pretty much all public transport is wheel chair accessable, the buses kneel. Well the newer ones do.

3. The train option sounds the easiest, train to Euston, Cab to the Embassy. Not exactly a shortage of cabs around there, and you can always radio for one.

If you want to see where everything is mapqwest is your friend.

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

I second Boiler's recommendation of the train, if you can get it. Then getting a black cab at Euston to the embassy. I don't recall seeing any black cabs around the embassy. But I'm sure you could either call on a mobile for one, if you have a mobile. Or ask someone at the embassy if they could call for one for you. I'm sure they'd oblige.

If you can't get the Virgin train, then I think you could probably get a black cab that would take you to Heathrow airport, since most taxi firms will offer a service like that. Although it might be different in your area of the company. Then from Heathrow you coulf get a black cab to the embassy. But this would probably be more expensive than getting a Virgin train.

I hope it works out for you, 1000 pounds is outrageous to expect for taking someone down to London, IMO. If you can arrange for the Virgin train I'd say go for it. They're pretty nice trains, from what I've heard. Never had the chance to use one before.

[jenart 0]

Is there no 'disabled association' or similar that would be able to help?

[Lou Lou 1]

Virgin trains are pretty good tho watch out for delays. They are notorious for them. Agreed black cabs are the way to go. They are not allowed to wait at the Embassy because of security reasons so you will have to arrange for a pick up when you are done. Maybe the cab you get at the station will give you some tips. If you find a good black cabbie they will help you a lot. From what I can recall there is a company called computacab (or something like that) who arrange for black cabs to wherever you want. Don't be worried about black cabs -- they are everywhere. Problem is not all of them are set up for wheelchairs so look out for the newer ones. Avoid minicabs -- as far as I can remember it's illegal for them to pick up fares on the street (though this may have changed), and most of them are probably not registered. Well dodgy!

[Lou Lou 1]

Wanted to add you should probably call Virgin and explain the situation. Most train companies will have a member of staff help you on and off the train and make sure you are settled. I've seen this happen lots of times from all mainline stations.

You won't need maps if you're cabbing it everywhere but like everyone has said, there are many map sites online.

Dont panic -- it's not a disaster and you should be able to get there easily by train and cab.

[AFQuaid 18]

Hi Everybody,

Firstly I would like to thank all for the wonderful advise, information and responses in general.

You'll be glad to hear like I was that the transport situation has resolved.

I had phoned up Virgin Trains to ask about assistance for somebody like myself but they told me they couldn't garentee 100% I would get help despite letting them know 24 hours in advance. So I couldn't take the risk of not getting help as you can understand.

Thankfully we got hold of the origional company and they quoted £800 to get me there and back which we've accepted because we saw no other way that wasn't risking me being stranded somewhere I've never been before.

I tried to contact also some black cab firms but some basically refused to take my electric wheelchair and others said they did not accomidate wheelchairs period.

So there we have it after all the stress and drama back to plan A.

Thank you again everybody.

Fiona

[Fandango 1,439]

oh my God, £800 is a ridiculous amount of money....you sure it's not better to rent a car and have someone drive you?

[AFQuaid 18]

We could but non of my family can drive nor do we have any friends who are willing. Even after 14 years of living in England from moving from Scotland we still haven't made much of a dent in being accepted nevermind liked in our area. But thank you for the suggestion.

Fiona

Edited August 6, 2006 by AFQuaid

[gwenneh 7]

£800?! Where are you coming from, the moon?! If you weren't so far from me I'd pull a sickie and come and drive you myself!

Edited August 7, 2006 by Gwen666

[Boiler 45,516]

2 quid a mile....

[TracyTN 237]

Avoid minicabs -- as far as I can remember it's illegal for them to pick up fares on the street (though this may have changed), and most of them are probably not registered. Well dodgy!

My fiance is a mini cab driver, and while I can't speak to it being legal or illegal for him to pick up fares on the street, I know that he works only through his dispatcher.

And he is required to be registered with the PCO (stickers all displayed properly) as well as have a criminal background check. So please don't imply that all mini cab drivers are 'dodgy'.

Thanks.

[Lou Lou 1]

Avoid minicabs -- as far as I can remember it's illegal for them to pick up fares on the street (though this may have changed), and most of them are probably not registered. Well dodgy!

My fiance is a mini cab driver, and while I can't speak to it being legal or illegal for him to pick up fares on the street, I know that he works only through his dispatcher.

And he is required to be registered with the PCO (stickers all displayed properly) as well as have a criminal background check. So please don't imply that all mini cab drivers are 'dodgy'.

Thanks.

Erm...I don't recall saying ALL mini cabs were dodgy. We were discussing ways of getting from A-B in London for visitors. I took mini cabs and black cabs every day when I worked and lived in London so I didn't think there was any harm passing on some decent advice. I would have thought it was pretty clear I was referring to those that pick up in the street. Near enough all of these ARE dodgy. I'm sure the 1000s of women that have been attacked by these men would have liked that reminder before getting in the 'cab'. You should either book a mini cab in advance through a reputable company which is hard if you're not a local, or you can take a black cab to be safe.

Happy now?