Forr Mobility
Frithfield Farm
Aldington
Ashford
Kent
UK
TN25 7HH
01233 721589
0800 0431589
Can I take a scooter or powerchair on an aircraft ?
Can I take a scooter or powerchair on a train ?
Can I take a scooter or powerchair on an bus or coach ?
What is lightest scooter you have ?
What car is the best for loading scooters/powerchairs ?
What ramps are best for loading a scooter/powerchair ?
Can I take a scooter or powerchair on an aircraft ?
This will depend on the airline, contact them before booking.
The airline may impose an excess charge for carrying a vehicle, due to the extra weight.
One question that is always asked by airlines is "What kind of batteries does the vehicle use ?"
Most if not all modern vehicles use either a gel or sealed lead acid batteries.
It worth having such information available before contacting the airline.
Manufacturers name.
Model name or No of the battery.
Size and weight of the batteries.
Size and weight of the vehicle to be transported.
If in doubt contact the manufacturer or supplier of the vehicle.
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Can I take a scooter or powerchair on a train ?
Some trains can take wheelchairs and powerchairs, the only way to be certain is to contact the train operator.
Most modern trains have a wheelchair space inside the passenger compartment.
Older slam door type trains may only have space in the guards van.
Scooters may present other problems with any train operator, as you cannot travel sat on a scooter and they are not so easy to load and unload.
Assistance can usually be pre booked at the stations you are travelling from and to.
Points to consider are:
How accessible are the stations that you will use ?
Do you need to change trains to get to your destination ?
Your vehicle must be in a safe condition.
Check with the operator first if:
Your vehicle is very wide or long.
Your vehicle is very heavy.
You need to travel with your legs extended.
You need to travel with the backrest reclined.
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Can I take a scooter or powerchair on an bus or coach ?
It is certainly possible to carry mobility vehicles on some buses and coaches.
The only way to be certain is to contact the bus or coach operator.
Most coaches will allow a scooter in the luggage compartment, however a point to remember is that somebody will have to load it which will almost certainly require some dismantling.If you wish to travel by public transport.
There are a number of bus operators who will take wheelchairs, usually under the Dial-a Ride name.
For Kent try :- www.kentpublic transport.info and follow links for Dial-a-Ride.
For East Sussex try:-www.eastsussexrtp.org.uk and follow links from community transport directory.
Check with the operator first if:
Your vehicle is very wide or long.
Your vehicle is very heavy.
You need to travel with your legs extended.
You need to travel with the backrest reclined.
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What is lightest scooter you have ?
There are now a large number of lightweight scooters available, and as is true with many things " you get what you pay for !".
Full details of the scooters that we supply are on our scooters page, follow the link from the products page.
Our details always include the weight of the heaviest piece.
The weight of any one piece is not always the most important factor, some heavier items may be easier to lift than other because of their shape or the vehicle it is going into.
The lightest scooter may not be the most suitable.
It is worth considering many things other than weight.
The area and terrain in which the scooter will be used.
The size and ability of the user, both now and in the future.
The vehicle to be used for transportation.
The ability of the person who will load the scooter into the vehicle.
All these points would be covered during our assessment, including training the use of any mobility vehicle, dismantling and reassembling, and in loading and unloading from a car.
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What car is the best for loading scooters/powerchairs ?
There is no one car that is better than any others, obviously the choosing of a car is a very personal thing.
Broadly speaking :-
Estate cars are easier then most as they have a flat floor space, and plenty of room with the seats folded.
MPV's have a good amount of luggage space, the seats can be folded, but the floor may be higher from the ground.
Hatchbacks often have reasonable amount of space, seats can often fold, but they often have a sill to lift over.
Saloons have less space, the height of the boot is often a restricting factor, and they usually have a sill to lift over.
The most important thing is to try loading and unloading the mobility vehicle before purchase so that any difficulties can be overcome, this applies to whatever method of loading is used.
This is always covered by our assessments.
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What ramps are best for loading a scooter/powerchair ?
This depends on the scooter/powerchair and the vehicle that it is to be loaded into.
Not all scooters or powerchairs will fit on all ramps.
The only way to be sure is to try the scooter/powerchair with the ramp or ramps and the vehicle to be loaded.
There are a large number of different types of ramp available in different styles and lengths.
Channel ramps:- a pair are required for 4 wheel mobility vehicles, 3 for 3 wheelers.
Broad or 1 piece ramps:- will take 3 or 4 wheelers, but take up more room when stowed.
Our assessments always cover the need to load a mobility vehicle into a car and training to do so if it is applicable.
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