How to Avail Wheelchair Facility at Railway Station
Wheelchairs can be an invaluable aid to people living with mobility issues. They make travelling, shopping, going to school and competing in specific sporting competitions much more straightforward.
Many train operators provide wheelchair spaces that can be reserved in advance with your ticket purchase. Please visit their respective websites for details.
Get To The Station Early.
Train station staff offer assistance to passengers with disabilities as they board and disembark trains, navigate around the station, and move freely around. This service is free, but it's best to arrive a few hours before your scheduled departure time to familiarize yourself with its layout and locate information monitors. Ideally, disabled travellers should try to secure seats nearer the front of the train for easy travel.
Most railway stations in India provide ramps for wheelchair users. You can request this service when purchasing tickets, contact the station manager for assistance or book ahead through IRCTC (Indian Railways' Official Ticket Booking Portal), where you must enter travel details such as destination and date/time of travel departure.
Some trains feature specially equipped coaches designed for disabled passengers, featuring wide doors and other features to make using a wheelchair easier. Their numbers can be found on the information board at each train platform. It's wise to arrive early so that all members of your party can reserve seats together; this way, everyone has enough room so they don't end up stuck sitting next to someone they don't know!
If you're travelling long distances by train, the MTA provides a list of accessible stations and the latest subway map at fare booths and throughout its system. In addition, train schedules show whether your journey requires multiple transfers, with station ticket offices able to direct you toward an accessible route if needed.
Metro-North and LIRR offer call-ahead programs that use the Americans with Disabilities Act to allow wheelchair seating space reservations before your trip, which you can utilize if taking intercity trains like Amtrak.
Book Your Ticket
If travelling by train, be sure to book your ticket early. Many train operators provide online booking for wheelchair passengers - for example, SNCF in France and OBB in Austria offer this feature as part of regular ticket purchases; check your national train operator for details. Alternatively, discounted fares are often available at ticket windows or onboard trains; however, seating reservations will cost extra and may not always be available.
Once you've made a reservation, arrive early at the station for your trip. Plan to be there at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to find a ramp and board the train with enough time left over!
Metro-North and LIRR offer call-ahead programs to facilitate assistance boarding and debarking via callback programs, providing you notify the train crew that assistance is required when getting on or off their trains. PCAs ride free on these railroads; however, proof of employment with a PCA agency must be shown.
If your destination is a train station, find a ticket collection machine - most wheelchair-accessible - and follow the collection instructions in your confirmation email. Tickets may come as either e-tickets that don't require printouts or as barcodes that must be shown to ticket inspectors for inspection; paper tickets must also be validated at each station before being collected from storage.
Bring one or more forms of photo ID with you when visiting a train station:
- Voter ID Card
- Passport
- Driving License
- PAN CardÂ
- Bank Passbook with Laminated Photographs or an Aadhaar Card
In addition, bring any pertinent medical documents or proof of disability if applicable.
Contact The Station Staff.
As soon as you arrive at your train station, inform the attendants that you need assistance boarding and disembarking the train. They may provide wheelchair ramp assistance if available. This service may also be requested when booking tickets through Amtrak or Metro-North; contact information for these organizations can be found on their websites.
Some stations provide shuttle services to transport you directly to their train, while if your station doesn't, use either LIRR or Metro-North Railroad's call-ahead programs for reduced fare tickets at ticket windows and onboard.
Ideally, wheelchair users should remain five feet from the edge of a platform and position their wheelchair with its brakes locked and wheels parallel to the track. Waiting in the centre may be best due to cars closing off parts of the way at certain times or failing to align with platforms at certain stations.
Most trains and rail stations provide accessible spaces and platforms, while some trains also feature boarding ramps to simplify access. Train crew members can also offer assistance if necessary while on board.
Train companies provide travel assistance teams that can assist with booking wheelchairs and tickets, arrange assistance at your destination station, and inform you of additional assistance services that may be available.
India provides wheelchair reservations through its Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation website or app, making the process more accessible. Log in, select "Book Wheelchair", fill in your travel details, and choose your collection/drop-off points.
IRCTC allows you to reserve wheelchairs in advance and cancel them as necessary if your plans change; please be aware that cancellation must occur 12 hours before departure.
Make Sure You Have Your Brakes On
Many rail companies now offer special teams dedicated to accommodating travellers using wheelchairs, such as providing priority seating or booking a coach. By reaching out in advance, they can ensure your journey goes as smoothly as possible, including providing information about your train and destination station and advising on navigating them if you need any guidance or tips on getting around.
IRCTC makes wheelchair assistance available when booking in-store or online train tickets; their trained assistant will assist in boarding and disembarking trains and moving about the station. In some stations, they also offer the e-wheelchair service, allowing users to book wheelchairs in advance for free with just a confirmed/RAC/PartialWL ticket, plus a Rs 500 deposit (refundable upon return).
As you wait for your train, remember that it is essential to stay away from platform edges to prevent accidents or injuries. If using a power wheelchair, ensure its brakes are locked before positioning its wheels parallel to the track. It would also help if you remained behind tactile edge-warning strips for safety purposes.
It is always wise to keep both hands free for travel purposes. Vertical handrails, overhead handrails and seat-back handholds provide secure support while travelling. Furthermore, use the pocket in the seat-back of the bus to store crutches or walking frames safely and conveniently.
Trains typically provide priority seating for seniors and people with disabilities. You may also ask the train crew for additional help in boarding or exiting. In contrast, most trains feature one coach explicitly designated for passengers with disabilities, which has more spacious accommodations for wheelchair movement.
At the same time, it's also essential to remember that you are responsible for maintaining and keeping your wheelchair in working condition. This includes daily cleaning, weekly maintenance and routine repairs. By knowing how to care for it properly, you should be able to spot potential problems early and resolve them immediately before they worsen.
