3 December 2008
The purpose of this focus group was to investigate the following topics:
- Blue Badges
- Companion Badges
- Freedom Pass
- Dial a Ride
- Taxi Card
- National Railcard
Companion Badges (CB)
Companion Badges are similar to Blue Badges with the following differences:
* They can only be used within Hackney
* They are addressed to the car not the individual
The Companion Badge was introduced as a pilot scheme to try and combat blue badge fraud. It is felt that they have not been effective and the members felt that more clarification was needed about this service and whether it still existed. There was a fee for the service but now it is free. You can apply and be given the badge on the same day from the Parking Shop on Mare Street.
The action points regarding Companion Badges are:
- To find out whether it is still a pilot or is it now a long term service? If it is long term can it be better advertised?
- To ask why is the badge only applicable in Hackney? There are some streets in Hackney which are on the border to other boroughs, in these cases it is not possible to park on one side of the street.
- What happens if your allocated car is broken?
Blue Badges are an EU wide scheme that can be used in any borough (bar some London boroughs that have their own exclusive badge).
The Badges are allocated to the individual who can use it in any car. There has been a large amount of fraud with the Blue Badges and this is why Hackney launched the Companion Badge to try and kerb this issue.
The main issue raised with the Blue Badge was that they need to be renewed every 3 years. The renewal process is as lengthy as the initial application. Individuals are required to compete an application form and pay a fee (thought to be £2), the individual is also asked to provide 2 passport photos at initial application stage and for the renewal. Blue badges are given from the mobility team on Morning Lane. The renewal process takes 6 weeks (same as the initial application) despite not needed a GP reference.
It is felt that the need for a GP reference is lengthy and also unnecessary. For example if you are receiving higher rate DLA and can evidence this, why should you have to rely on the GP referral? It is also felt that the GP may not know you very well, despite being disabled you may not visit the GP regularly or have a good relationship with your GP.
The action points raised regarding Blue Badges are:
- Why do applicants have to constantly provide photos, can't the department keep a copy on file, or ask for more than 2 at the beginning? Alternatively why do they not have a web cam and keep the photos electronically?
- Why is there only 1 officer processing Blue Badges, is this why there is a 6 week wait?
- Why does the applicant have to come into the office to have the BB renewed? Why does the office make the application whilst the applicant is there? Can a page be sent to the applicant for signature and then the badge pre made for collection?
- If a person is automatically eligible for the BB, then why is a GP referral also necessary?
- Why does the renewal process take so long and require such work on the applicant side?
The freedom pass is a free photo card that allows the individual free travel within London. It is eligible for use on the buses, tubes, trams and DLR. It is also valid on some over ground rail.
The application process for the freedom pass is very similar to the BB and CB. It requires a GP referral (despite eligibility requiring you to be on higher rate DLA etc).
People have been refused BB but given a FP, it is interesting to see how common this is and why that would be.
The action points regarding Freedom Passes are:
- To provide the Forum members with a map of accessible stations in London
- To provide the Forum members with a map of where freedom pass is eligible, does it end in zone 5?
- DBU to sign up to the "getting there" magazine and pass on the information through DBU newsletter
- DBU to design 1 application form which could be used for BB, CB and FP. This to be taken to the Forum with the aim of presenting it to the council. The aim is to try and change the 3 applications so people only need fill one, get one GP referral etc.
The Taxi Card is a service which allows individuals to book black cabs. The taxi card provides you with a card which discounts your journey. For the first £12.50 of the journey, the individual only pays £1.50, anything over that the individual pays for.
The service has a poor reputation for being unreliable and difficult to book. It has also been said that the taxi drivers start the meter running from the time they leave the depot instead of the time they start the journey.
The action points regarding Taxi Cards are:
- To contact Transport for all (charity regarding disability transport) and find out how we can get involved with their projects
- To find out whether the meters are turned on at point of pick up or before
Dial a Ride is a transport service that you pre book to be taken to and from a destination. The service is free with a straightforward application and no GP referral.
DaR is operated through a computerised system which has been criticised for the poor running of this service. It is felt that DaR rarely comes on time and is difficult to book. It also regularly arrives with a large van or car to collect 1 person.
The action points regarding Dial a Ride are:
- To contact TFL and find out what the future plans are for the service
- To contact Transport For All with our concerns and see how we can get involved with their work
- To explore if DaR still operates a transfer scheme (where you can travel to another borough)
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