This is what great accessible design is like
5
5
Date of visit: August 2023
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
The interchange is a new, accessible, step free bus station in the town centre. It has accessible and a Changing Places toilet plus a cafe and information desk. It is adjacent to Galashiels Train Station and makes travelling by public transport very easy.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The new building has been designed to be very accessible, step free throughout with automatic doors. The entrance from the train station is level with the pavement. The entrance from the town centre is accessed by a short flight of 3 or 4 steps with handrails on both sides or a permanent ramp, which also has handrails on both sides. There is plenty of fixed seating with back support and arms. In the cafe there are free standing tables and chairs. Sorry I can't remember the height of the information desk and I forgot to take a picture of it. The Border buses are step free, have a ramp at the front and all the buses I went on had two spaces for wheelchair users.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
The interchange is served by several bus routes across the Borders, and to Edinburgh, Carlisle and Berwick upon Tweed. It is not a huge terminus so easy if you are changing buses there. The adjacent train station has regular trains to Edinburgh.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
There is an accessible toilet and a Changing Places toilet. Both require a RADAR key to open.
Staff
Excellent
It was my first time in Galashiels and the member of staff at the information counter was very helpful. She advised me about tickets and gave me a couple of bus timetable for the places I was planning to visit. The bus drivers were very helpful, especially as I was unsure which stop to get off, they would call out the stop for me.
Additional Information
This is what great accessible design is like. I used the interchange several times during my holiday as I was travelling around by bus. It was easy and I was an independent traveller. There was always people around so it always felt safe using it. If you are planning to travel by bus round the Borders I would recommend using the Border Buses app. With it you can pre-purchase tickets. I got a day ticket for £10.15 (July 2023) and that gave me 24 hours travel on any Borders bus, so with it I could go to Edinburgh, Carlisle or Berwick upon Tweed. it was great value and hassle free as you just get your phone scanned when you board a bus. It also is helpful as it gives you live bus times and a route planner. In Galashiels town centre is the Great Tapestry of Scotland and just outside is Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's home (you would need a taxi/ car). There are lot of lovely villages and beautiful scenery, so I would recommend Borders for a day trip or holiday and the interchange makes it very accessible by public transport.
