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Local Bus Travel

Many bus companies operate in each city in the UK. Most buses are “pay as you enter” and on many buses the driver cannot give change, so you must have the correct money. Keep a selection of coins ready for bus journeys.

Bus and Coach information

For details of National Express Coach services to most areas in Great Britain, telephone (0990) 808080. Coaches offer the cheapest way to travel long distances

Printed timetables are available from nearly most bus and coach stations.

Train

For information about all local and national rail services telephone 08457 484950.

Timetables and price information are available from stations. You can also plan your journey on the Internet by visiting the Railtrack website, www.railtrack.co.uk

Economical Train Travel

If you travel regularly by train and are under 26, a full time student, a senior citizen, or you have a family, it is well worth buying a railcard. This will save a third of the price of most train ticket. Try to plan your train journey early since on many long distance routes you can buy cheaper ticket if you book in advance. It is usually more expensive to travel on Friday (and sometimes Saturdays) and at peak commuter times, so check in advance before you buy your ticket as prices very considerably. On some routes you could save yourself as much as £40 by booking in advance and avoiding peak times.

Taxis

There are many taxi companies in each city in the UK. Look in the Yellow Pages telephone directory under “taxis” or ring the free telephone information service Talking Pages on 0800 600 900. You will also find taxi ranks outside stations and in the city centre. It is usual to give taxi driver a 10% tip.

If you buy, hire or borrow a vehicle make sure that:

• You are insured to drive the vehicle. If you do not have insurance yourself, you can only drive if the owner of the vehicle has insurance, which also covers you. You should check this carefully as it is an offence to drive without insurance, See the insurance section in this guide

• The vehicle has licence (tax disc)

• The vehicle is roadworthy. If more than three years old, it should have a current Ministry of Transport test certificate (MOT). This is a certificate, valid for 1 year, which proves that a vehicle has passes inspection test carried out by an authorised garage.

• You know the law relating to driving in this country, park only where permitted and have read copy of “The Highway Code” available from book shops.

If you are driving and are involved in an accident there are several things that you MUST do. You must stop immediately. You should check that no-one involved is hurt. If they are, then call for an ambulance by telephoning (free) 999. You should also call police to report the accident by telephoning 999. Give the other drivers involved in the accident your name and address, and details of your insurance company. Obtain the same details from the other drivers. It is illegal not to give your details after an accident.

Please not: Motorbike rider must wear a properly fastened helmet at all time. Failure to do so could result in a fine and an appearance in court.

Car and Van Hire

The Yellow Pages telephone directory lists car hire companies. You can also ring Talking Pages free information service on 0800 600 900. Check all details, including insurance cover and mileage. Terms and conditions very from one company to another. Make sure your driving licence is valid in the UK.

Cyclists

Most UK area has good facilities for cyclists and a number of cycle tracks. Maps of cycle track routes are available from the City Information Centre. You will find second-hand bicycles in some cycle shops and also advertised in local newspapers and on cards in the windows of post offices and small shops. Bicycles that have been lost and are not reclaimed from local police stations are auctioned regularly. Bicycle theft is common so if you have a bicycle, you should buy a good lock and keep it locked up whenever it is not being used.