Overview

When travelling by train I always use the "Passenger Assist "Service. In my experience it works very well and is "tailor made" to suit your own requirements. Accessibility for a disabled person at Darlington Train Station is not good. If you arrive at the station by taxi or can be dropped off by a friend then it is level access to the booking office and to the trains, but if you arrive in your own transport the surrounding car parks are useless as the route from one car park involves a steep incline which, in my opinion, will beat most wheelchair users, and the other car park is connected to the station by steps!

Transport & Parking

There is a bus stop outside the station but the route from that stop to the station entrance involves another incline. There is a good drop off point near the station taxi point which has level access and there are also 3 or 4 parking places for Wheelchair users but those spaces are constantly abused by able bodied people and parking time is limited anyway! So I always use a taxi which drops me to catch my train and also collects me on return.

Access

Disabled access is only on the level once you have reached the concourse. Signage is good, with train times well displayed and a Customer service desk to help the traveller. Access to the booking office is good . There are plenty of seats on the platforms.

Toilets

I did not use the accessible loo so cannot comment on it.

Staff

I have always had excellent service from all the staff. Yes, they are always busy but they are very helpful, especially if you require passenger assistance service. When you arrive at the Customer service point you book in with your Passenger Assist reference number and a member of staff looks after your luggage and loads you onto the train with the wheelchair ramp. They also meet your returning train and assist you with going to the taxis etc.