Living with a rare disease or disability during the cost of living crisis can be challenging. We have put together a centralised resource hub where you can find relevant organisations that can assist with various aspects of life. On this page you can find organisations that offer help and advice on transport. Scroll down to see links that you will find useful or you can return to the cost of living page to navigate to other resources.

The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) - If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). 

Toll concessions if you have a disability - You may not have to pay the full fare at some river crossings, bridges and tunnels if you’re disabled. In most cases, you have to apply in advance to get a concession. Check your eligibility or the latest toll rates before you travel.

The Blue Badge Scheme - allows you to park in parking spaces that are usually closer to where you need to go. Find out more through your local council using the link below. Apply or renew a Blue Badge Apply for or renew a Blue Badge via this link or if you need help making an application, you could contact your local citizens advice bureau.

Help towards the cost of driving lessons

• Are you a Motability Scheme customer?
• Do you have a provisional licence and want to learn to drive your Motability Scheme car?
• Or do you need familiarisation with new controls in your grant-funded vehicle?
• And do you receive a means tested benefit?

If you’ve answered 'yes' to these questions, then you could be eligible for a grant to help with the cost of driving lessons.

Transport For Wales - if your primary address is in Wales and you meet the Government’s disability eligibility criteria, you can travel for free on most bus services in Wales and the borders and get discounted or free travel on many rail services.

Blue Badges allow people with severe mobility difficulties or a health condition that affects their mobility to park closer to where they need to go. Flintshire County Council provide more information here. You can apply for a Blue Badge as a driver, passenger or organisation.

Transport and leisure discounts by Contact – find out if you’re eligible for help with parking, getting a car, paying road tax and rail and bus travel, as well as advice on saving on leisure activities.

Information on how you could receive support with travel costs from the Help for Households Campaign.

Do you need help with hospital parking costs? You can read more about hospital parking costs by clicking the link below.

Mencap - Find about your rights to support on transport and the subsidies and schemes which may be available to you.

Mencap’s guide to Subsidised transport – free bus passes, subsidised railcards, and other transport schemes that can help you get around if you have a learning disability.

Looking for Bus travel discount for 16 – 21 year olds in Wales?

This page – from Child law advice - provides you with information on the duties of local authorities to provide free school transport to children and young people transport. The Child Law Advice Service also provides legal advice and information on family, child and education law affecting children and families in England. The Child Law Advice Service is part of Coram Children’s Legal Centre, the UK’s leading children’s legal charity. 

School transport (England) – the Down’s Syndrome Association have written guidance on your child’s right to school transport in England.

Cerebra’s guide to school transport in England - This guide explains the legal obligations on local authorities to provide free school transport for disabled children in England. Its aim is to help parents and carers understand their legal rights, but you should not rely on this guide as legal advice. The law relating to school transport can be complicated and you may need to take independent legal advice to find out how the law applies to your particular circumstances.

Cerebra’s guide to school transport in Wales - This guide explains the legal obligations on local authorities to provide free school transport for disabled children in Wales. Its aim is to help parents and carers understand their legal rights, but you should not rely on this guide as legal advice. The law relating to school transport can be complicated and you may need to take independent legal advice to find out how the law applies to your particular circumstances.

Scope – the link below also provides guidance on travel insurance.

Motability - The Motability Scheme can help you lease a car if your child is aged 3 or over and is entitled to either the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance or enhanced mobility component of Personal Independence Payment. If you have a disabled or seriously ill child under three, and would benefit from access to a car, the Family Fund Mobility Support programme may be able to help

The Motability Foundation runs several Grant Programmes to support with the cost of Advance Payments and adaptations. These are for people who cannot afford the disability solution they need.

Find out how to apply for VAT relief on adapted motor vehicles, if you’re eligible to buy these vehicles and the evidence you need to supply them.

Please do share any useful websites or support organisations focusing on cost of living so we can add them to the resources. Your support is very much appreciated.