Victoria Coach Station

I took a return coach journey which started at Victoria Coach Station, and I was very impressed with the facilities and the special assistance I received. Before my journey I contacted National Express, which was who I was travelling with, to request special assistance and a seat near the front. Both were confirmed in writing prior to travel.

Both the Leeds & London Victoria Coach stations are highly accessible, with level access to all areas passengers may need to get to. The Leeds station even has a lowered area of the desk for wheelchair users to talk to staff over. It is preferred that you call ahead or visit the customer service desk if you want to take a wheelchair on a coach; this is simply so they can assess what help you’ll need, & is very easy to do. However, it is not essential, unlike the trains. I got out of my manual wheelchair, which was folded up & put in the hold with the luggage, before climbing the steps using the grab rails, & sitting on the priority seat. Getting off was simply the reverse of this; staff made sure I was first on & off to avoid people pushing. If you can’t walk it is possible to get the wheelchair on the coach via some ramps & lifts, & the priority seats on one side of the coach can be physically removed to create a wheelchair space. Having not seen this in action I cannot say how good it is.