20 Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide Resources 21
Edinburgh Haymarket
0800 912 2901; 18001 0800 912 2901 (for the hard of hearing)There’s step-free access throughout and wheelchairs are availa-
ble for passenger use.
All reviewers bemoan the lack of accessible parking, but
agree that this newly refurbished train station is a vast improve-
ment on the old one. There are wheelchair-accessible turnstiles,
large and well-appointed accessible toilets – access to which
is at street level before going through the ticket barrier using a
RADAR key – lifts to all platforms and helpful staff. It’s reportedly
very easy to navigate your way around.Edinburgh Waverley
0845 722 5225; https://www.networkrail.co.uk/edinburgh-wa-
verley-station/disabled-access/Accessible parking is available in the main car park, from where
you’ll need to take two lifts to get to the ticket office and main
concourse. There is no longer vehicle access to the main sta-
tion area for cars or taxis; the accessible drop-off/pick-up point
is located off Carlton Rd. One lift takes you to the bridge and a
second down on to platform level. More than one reviewer has
remarked that this vehicular access is less than ideal. When
booking assisted travel staff can meet you at the accessible
drop-off point.
There’s an accessible toilet just before the barriers to the
main toilet area. It can be opened by a staff member or with a
RADAR key, which may mean a wait for those without a key. It’s
clean and fairly spacious, although it does require a 90-degree
turn to access the door.
The various shops and cafes in the concourse are all accessible.
Staff are particularly helpful.
The ticket offices have induction loops and there are a num-
ber of wheelchairs available and a mobility vehicle for use by
passengers.
For further details, refer to the website or call the number above.Tr a m
City trams can take you along the length of the major shopping
strip, Princes St, out to Edinburgh Airport. The entire fleet of
trams is wheelchair-accessible, and stops have ramps and lifts
where necessary. Trams have two wheelchair spaces.Blue Badge Parking
A Blue Badge allows drivers or passengers with severe mobili-
ty problems or a disability to park without payment or penalty
in otherwise restricted areas. For example, if you have a Blue
Badge, you can park free and (often) for any length of time at
on-street parking meters and on-street pay-and-display areas.
It also allows you to park in designated accessible parking bays.
For full details about use and eligibility, visit https://www.mygov.
scot/apply-blue-badge/?via=http://www.bluebadgescotland.
org/. Full details and locations of street Blue Badge parking bays
can be found on the City of Edinburgh Council website at http://www.
edinburgh.gov.uk or you can call them on 0131-469 3891.
Lothian Buses
0131-555 6363; http://lothianbuses.com/about-us/community/
accessible-buses
Buses are the most popular form of public transport; informa-
tion about timetables and access can be found on Lothian Buses
website.
All buses in the fleet are accessible, with retractable boarding
ramps, flat areas on the lower deck, high visibility handrails and
a (single) dedicated wheelchair space that’s relatively easy to
manoeuvre into. Drivers receive training to better assist PWDs.
Mobility scooters are not permitted on buses.
Edinburgh Bus Station
Accessible toilets require a RADAR key and can be used during
station hours.
Taxi
There are numerous taxi ranks located around the city.
Central Taxis (0131-229 2468; http://taxis-edinburgh.co.uk/))
Edinburgh’s largest taxi company has 465 wheelchair-accessible
taxis (black cabs).
Train
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20088/publictransport/423/rail
travel_for_people_with_disabilities
Information for PWDs travelling within Edinburgh by train can
be found on the above website, including dedicated numbers for
people with a hearing impairment or those who need particular
advice and/or support.