Journeys taken by the physically handicapped

Travelling opportunities of the physically handicapped

To alleviate the disadvantages, to provide equal opportunities for them, and to change the position of the society on the issue, Parliament passed Act XXVI of 1998 on giving equal rights and opportunities to the handicapped. The Act came into force on January 1, 1999.

1. Vehicles that can be used by the physically handicapped in wheelchairs

1.1 In the case of a group journey (at least 10 physically handicapped persons) they can use the car for the physically handicapped ordered in advance, which features a special design, a lifting device. The relevant conditions are in chapter M, part III of the Passenger Transportation Business Code. To satisfy the needs there are 2 railway cars available equipped with a lifting device. In one of the cars there is room for 8 wheel chairs and there are 40 seats, whereas in the other car there is room for 12 wheel chairs and there are 16 seats. In these cars there is a toilet that can be used by the passengers confined into the wheel chair. A car attendant operates the lifting device and escorts the group from the departure station to the destination.

1.2 If the journey is not a group journey, the physically handicapped can use specially designed cars with advance notice. These cars are served with a mobile lifting device. The door width of one of the car types is over 70 cm. In the car there are one or two places for wheel chairs, and the toilet can be used by the people confined to the wheel chair. In the other car they can travel in the vestibule (normally on branch lines for a short distance), the toilet is not available for people with special needs.

1.3 The other vehicles not mentioned cannot be considered for the journey of the physically handicapped, as their entrance doors are too narrow (60 cm). Entrance and exit of passengers in wheel chairs into and from these vehicles is not possible even at stations where a lifting device is available. Exceptions to this are cases when the passenger is escorted and with help he can get out of the wheel chair, he can use the regular toilet, and requests the lifting device only to put in and take out the collapsed wheel chair. On submitting the claim, the escort shall be mentioned in particular.

1.4 The station and train staff shall – while the passengers with special needs get in and out and during the journey - pay special attention so that the passengers with special needs can travel without any difficulty.
The seats marked with the picture sign are reserved by the railway company for the physically handicapped and their wheel chair.
The railway company transports the wheel chairs free of charge and settlement. The passenger shall have the appropriate ticket.
If the physically handicapped passengers travel on their own, they can use specially designed cars. These cars are served by mobile lifting device. In the car there are one or two places converted for them, and the toilet can also be used by people confined to the wheel chair.
In the case of a group journey (at least 10 physically handicapped persons) they can use the car for the physically handicapped ordered in advance, which features special design, a lifting device. There is a toilet in the car for the wheel chair passengers. The car attendant operates the lifting device, and escorts the group from the departure station to the destination.

When you submit your claim for the given service, please keep the following deadlines:

· For a mobile lifting device until 14.00 hours on the working day prior to the planned journey,

· For a journey on a route different from the time-table 3 working days prior to the planned journey

· For a group journey 7 working days prior to the planned journey.

The service can be ordered on the internet, in writing and on the phone/fax.

· The internet address for the order: megrendeles [KUKAC] mav-start.hu Please send the downloadable form to this address.

· The address for a written order: MÁV-START Zrt., 1087 Budapest, Könyves Kálmán krt. 54-60.

· Order by phone/fax: 06 (40) 49-49-49

The following stations have a lifting device for the physically handicapped:

Cars not equipped with a lifting device can only be ordered between stations having a moble lifting device. The maximum load of a mobile lifting device is 250 kg.

MÁV-START Zrt. will forward the special cars only depending ont he operating conditions.

The following table lists the stations which have a toilet for the physically handicapped.

Stations:

Badacsony, Badacsonytomaj, Balatonalmádi, Balatonboglár, Balatonfenyves, Balatonfüred, Balatonlelle, Balatonszentgyörgy, Békéscsaba, Bp. Nyugati pu., Debrecen Fonyód, Gárdony, Gyula, Hajdúszoboszló, Hegyeshalom, Kaposvár, Keszthely, Komárom, Miskolc, Nagykanizsa, Nyíregyháza, Pápa, Püspökladány, Révfülöp, Sátoraljaújhely, Siófok, Sopron, Székesfehérvár, Szerencs, Szombathely, Tapolca, Tiborszállás, Záhony, Zánka, Köveskál

2. The concessionary fares of MÁV-START Zrt.

When making use of concessionary fares, part II of the Passenger Transportation Business Code of MÁV-START Vasúti Személyszállító Zrt. is authoritative, which contains the tariff and the concessionary fares determined in the laws and regulations.

The passenger having the membership ID of the National Association of the Blind and Visionary Impaired and his escort are eligible for travel discount. A passenger having similar conditions can take his guide dog on the train free of charge.

Those with hearing impairment – with their photo ID – are eligible for travel discount.

The handicapped living in special homes, their escorts and visitors are eligible for a travelling discount with the certification of the special home.

Disabled service men, war orphans and war widows can travel free of charge with their ID.

The railway company transports the wheel chair free of charge.