Accessibility Information

You can get all the information about the accessibility of the stations and trains:

telephone: 0800 138 1016 (freephone) or
textphone / minicom: 0800 138 1018

Travelling with a wheelchair or scooter:

• You can take your wheelchair and some scooters on the train but there are weight and size restrictions
• Wheelchairs and scooters must not be more than 700mm wide and 1200mm long. They must not weigh more than 300kg
• If the wheelchair or scooter is too heavy or too large, station staff may not let you on the train. Check before you travel
• There is a gap between the platform and the train. A ramp is used to go across the gap. You must not use the ramp on your own
• You must be able to steer the mobility scooter up the short steep ramp, as we cannot do this for you
• The speed limit at all stations is 3 miles per hour
• Some stations have their own wheelchairs and staff can help you get from the station to the train. Check before you travel
• Station wheelchairs can only be used at the station and not for the rest of your journey

Station and train accessibility

Ticket machines are low so wheelchair users can use them. Many ticket desks are also low.

If there are any changes to the stations, like the lift being out of order, we will let you know:

• by putting up a poster at the station
• by adding information on the website
• by advising when you phone us for help for your journey 

All ticket barriers have a wide gate that is left open when the ticket barrier is unstaffed.

All ticket offices have hearing loops. Many also have lower counters to help people using wheelchairs.

Many stations have toilets.

Some stations have accessible toilets.
We plan to put them on more of our stations.

Some accessible toilets are locked. You can use RADAR (key scheme) for some but must ask station staff to open others.

If you cant use the steps at a station, we will arrange other transport to a station without steps. You must talk to us about this before you travel and have a ticket to travel.

Sometimes we are doing repairs at the station but staff will help you if you have booked. Transport to the nearest accessible station will be provided.

Onboard trains

Most trains have good access for people with disabilities e.g.

• Double sliding doors
• Wide aisles
• Announcements on a screen about stations on the journey 
• Spoken announcements about stations on the journey

Dogs who help you are welcome on the trains.

Mobility scooters cannot be accepted onto our class 442 trains (pictured) unless they fold down.

Priority seats

Priority seats are for people with additional needs who need to sit down.

They are clearly marked in each carriage.

They are usually near the exit doors.

Can I book (reserve) a seat on the train?

You cant book a seat on a Southern train.

Places are provided for you if you use a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. There is a picture of a wheelchair user on the outside of the train to show where these places are.

If part of your journey includes a train run by another train company and they book seats on their trains, we can do this for you.

Staff will help you find a seat on the train but cannot make a non-disabled person give their seat up for you should they refuse to.