Travel and transport

Older and disabled people can benefit from schemes to make it easier and more affordable to travel across the city and beyond. Age UK has advice on a range of ways to reduce the cost of public transport for older people.

Disabled drivers and passengers

Blue badge holders can park in disabled parking bays. You don't have to be a driver to apply for a blue badge. Further details are available on blue badges.

Blue badge hiolders can also apply for disabled parking bays outside their home.

The Motability scheme can help towards the cost to adapt a car, or getting a powered wheelchair or scooter, subject to any benefits that you receive.

Driving advice

If you plan to carry on driving into your 70s and beyond, advice on keeping safe is available. Also, Salford Disabled Motorists and Access Association campaigns, gives advice and has a social group for disabled drivers or carers who drive.

Public transport

Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) travel passes let older and disabled people travel for free (or at a reduced rate) on buses, trains and trams between 9.30am and midnight on weekdays, and at weekends and bank holidays. Some passes can be used outside of Greater Manchester. Telephone 0161 244 1050.

If you can not use public transport, then TFGM travel vouchers may be the solution. They can be used to help pay for taxis and other easy access transport such as Ring and Ride and Community Transport.

Ring and Ride buses offer a door to door service, and are available to anyone who has difficulty using other public transport. You must register before using the service, and then book a day in advance, when you want to use a bus. With ring and ride, you can now travel outside Salford to Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Trafford or Wigan.

Local Link offers flexible and accessible door to door public transport. Telephone 0845 605 5505.

Community Transport provides accessible transport in the east of the city. Telephone 0161 736 8852.

Manchester Community Transport is available for groups to hire buses, telephone 0161 945 9255.

Voluntary groups can also hire Salford City Council's accessible buses and drivers at weekends and some evenings.

Trains

Annual railcards offer reduced fares for older people and disabled people. If you are:

Registered blind or visually impaired
A wheelchair user

if you travel with an adult companion, both of you can get at least a third off the price of train tickets without a railcard. If your local station is not accessible, then the train company should pay for you to go to an accessible station.

Trams

Metrolink is an accessible system, and all stops have either a ramp, lift or escalator access.

Most platforms have tactile edges for visually impaired passengers. All platforms have designated wheelchair/pushchair access point for step free access.

Each tram has designated disabled/pushchair areas with its own emergency/information call points.

Mobility scooters are not allowed on trams.