Overview

I visited Eldon Square Bus Station solely to write this review. The station is a perfectly serviceable transport hub, though I didn't see anything in the way of alternative communication formats which is disappointing.

Transport & Parking

I wheeled my way to the bus station, making the climb up through 'The Toon', but there is a large multistorey nearby which is part of the Eldon Square Shopping Centre for those who are driving. A quick look online advises that the car park has a total of 497 spaces of which 32 are accessible parking spaces. At the time of writing, parking costs £2.90 per hour from 8 am to 7 pm Monday to Sunday, and is free after 7 pm from Monday to Saturday. Probably not ideal if you're away for the week! On Proudhoe Place there is a taxi rank. I didn't note any accessible taxis, so please check this ahead of time if you need a taxi. Though not marked as such, I saw people dropping off in this area. Haymarket Metro Station is a few minutes' walk from the bus station and is noted as being accessible. However, you may need to request a ramp ahead of time.

Access

arrived via Percy Street through what I consider to be the main entrance. There are a few steps leading down to the bus station, with tactile edges and handrails, and ramped access slightly further along the street that takes you to the sliding automatic doors at the entrance. The entire centre is on a slope, with bus gates A to J at the top and bottom respectively. There are metal seats at each bus gate and automatic doors opening to the stands. When out on the platform to board the bus, there is no lowered section, but the buses do have ramps for those who might need them. There is an information and ticket booth, but nobody was working in it when I arrived. I saw no signage to indicate a hearing loop, and no lowered counter. There is an intercom used at the window to the booth. There is a second, more level entrance on Proudhoe Place, but this is at the foot of a sharp slope and not ideal if you're leaving from the higher stances. There are smooth tiled floors throughout the building and the signage is clear. I tried to visit the toilets, but they were in use. However, if you take a right at Poundland, it will take you down to the accessible toilets within the Eldon Square Shopping Centre.

Toilets

I'm rating the accessible toilets within the Eldon Square Centre, which is on your right after Poundland. I didn't use the ones inside the station area as I didn't have my RADAR key and couldn't find a member of staff to open the door. Though, in my general experience, bus station toilets usually aren't the most pleasant. There are two accessible toilets in this area of the centre, though there are undoubtedly more across the sprawling Eldon Square. Both require a RADAR key to enter, which I obtained with the assistance of a cleaner who was passing by. The doors to both open outwards, but I used the toilet on the right. Inside, there is space for a left-side transfer to the toilet, but there is a sanitary bin in the space. The toilet seat and toilet pan are white, but there are contrasting blue grab rails on either side, which stand out against the white wall. There is both a red cord and a red strap to the right when seated, through which you can get help in an emergency. The small sink is on the right wall as you enter and has a left-side transfer and blue rails on either side. The hand dryer is on your right when positioned at the sink. There is enough room for a powerchair user and another person if needed, but it is tight!

Staff

The cleaner who gave me the key was attentive, offering it before I asked, which was nice. As they're shopping centre staff and not bus station staff, I won't give a rating here.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

As it's part of the shopping centre, you have the option to pop into Poundworld for any snacks or drinks you need for your journey. It's nice to see a transport hub where you aren't hit by overly high prices because there's nowhere else to go.

Photos