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Thistle Assistance Card
Published on 15 February 2018
United Kingdom
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
SEStran has developed the Thistle Card to make using public transport easier for older people or those with disabilities or illness.
The card, which is supported by a wide variety of voluntary organisations in South East Scotland and by most bus operators, is credit-card sized and comes with a supply of peel-off stickers, which advise the driver of a personal disability in an easy-to-read format. The card is now available as a mobile app and has been adopted nationally. Anyone who requires additional assistance can use the card, without the need to meet set criteria.
The card, which is supported by a wide variety of voluntary organisations in South East Scotland and by most bus operators, is credit-card sized and comes with a supply of peel-off stickers, which advise the driver of a personal disability in an easy-to-read format. The card is now available as a mobile app and has been adopted nationally. Anyone who requires additional assistance can use the card, without the need to meet set criteria.
Resources needed
£30,000 to print cards and develop mobile app.
Evidence of success
To date there have been nearly 42,000 cards distributed across the SEStran Region. The figures below summarise distribution and requests since 2011/12.
We had a positive reaction to the introduction of the Thistle Assistance card and mobile app and SEStran was recognised for outstanding achievement by Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance for facilitating transport services for disabled people.
We had a positive reaction to the introduction of the Thistle Assistance card and mobile app and SEStran was recognised for outstanding achievement by Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance for facilitating transport services for disabled people.
Potential for learning or transfer
Work with Equality Forum (representatives from disabilities groups) in order to offer a product which is truly beneficial and effective.
Receiving feedback and consultations are crucial in the development of the product.
The main benefit of the app is the convenience of use for the customer. There is also potential to include usage statistics and where the app is being used. This will be discussed with the bus companies as part of the consultation. These additions can be added as feedback incrementally as use of the initial app increases
Receiving feedback and consultations are crucial in the development of the product.
The main benefit of the app is the convenience of use for the customer. There is also potential to include usage statistics and where the app is being used. This will be discussed with the bus companies as part of the consultation. These additions can be added as feedback incrementally as use of the initial app increases
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
SEStran
United Kingdom
Contact
Projects Officer