Thistle Assistance

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at SEStran!

22/12/2025

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 🎄

(PS - if you're wondering who SEStran are, we run Thistle Assistance for all of Scotland! Take a look at our page to find out more.)

16/12/2025

Disability Equality Scotland are working with Transport Scotland to shape the next Accessible Travel Framework!

If you are a disabled person in Scotland, have your say by completing Disability Equality Scotland’s surveys about the modes of transport that matter most to you!

Train and Bus: https://disabilityequality.scot/news/have-your-say-on-buses-and-trains/

Community Transport and Walking, Wheeling, and Cycling: https://disabilityequality.scot/news/community-transport-and-active-travel-surveys/

Taxi, Plane and Ferries: https://disabilityequality.scot/news/planes-ferries-and-taxis-surveys/

30/10/2025

This is an important consultation and SEStran would love to hear your views!

Have your say here: https://bit.ly/TransportHealth

03/10/2025

We had a brilliant evening last night at the Transport Times National Transport Awards. 🎉

We were delighted that our Campaign of the Year entry, for our Thistle Assistance initiative, was highly commended!

It was also lovely to catch up with colleagues from Hitrans and we were really pleased that they were highly commended in the John Prescott Regional Partnership of the Year category.



Sally Pattle Liberal Democrat West Lothian

18/08/2025

Let SEStran know your thoughts on buses in our region.

Have you completed our bus strategy consultation yet? 🚌

This is the final week to have your say! We're really keen to get as many options as possible from all areas of our region, so if you've not filled out the questionnaire please do! And we'd also love it if you could forward it on to your networks - both in and out of work.

The consultation is open until the 25 August, and can be completed here: https://www.research.net/r/SouthEastBus

07/07/2025

We all welcome a little extra assistance now and again, particularly when travelling alone.

We run Thistle Assistance across all of Scotland - it's an initiative to help people feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport.

The Thistle Assistance card and app let transport staff know in an easy and subtle way what extra support is needed. Maybe more time to get to a seat. Or for the driver to speak more slowly and clearly.

👉 If you know someone who would find Thistle Assistance useful, visit our website to find out more: https://www.thistleassistance.com/

24/04/2025

We all welcome a little extra assistance now and again, particularly when travelling alone.

Thistle Assistance is an initiative to help you feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport.

You may prefer more time to get to your seat. You may like your driver to speak more slowly and clearly.

The Thistle Assistance card and app let transport staff know in an easy and subtle way what extra support you’d like.

Find out more:

Thistle Assistance is an initiative to help you feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport.

04/04/2025

Brenda is a carer from St Andrews. She tells us why Thistle Assistance is helpful for the people she cares for:

"I look after a number of older people in and around St Andrews. They all tell me stories of feeling frustrated or worried about using the bus to get to the shops or to meet friends for coffee.

"The bus driver maybe doesn’t give them enough time to sit down. Or they find it harder to see where they are for their stop on darker days. It’s a shame because it’s one of the ways they keep what independence they have.

"I’d seen something about Thistle Assistance at my local library so I’m now telling all the people I look after about it. It’s a no-fuss way to ask for a little extra help. What’s not to like?"

01/04/2025

Take a look at the new Accessible Travel Hub from Disability Equality Scotland - lots of great information and advice.

🎉Today, we are thrilled to launch the brand-new Accessible Travel Hub, your go-to resource for accessible travel information!

💡 What’s New?
✅ Simple Navigation – A fresh layout to help you find what you need quickly.
✅ New Search Feature – Find travel information by location.
✅ Updated Resources – Traveline journey planning, airport accessibility tips, Thistle Assistance and Blue Badge details.
✅ Real Stories – Hear from disabled travellers about their experiences.

📢 But this is just the beginning! We will keep working to improve the Accessible Travel Hub based on your feedback, suggestions and new developments in accessible travel.

👉 Visit the website now to start exploring: https://accessibletravel.scot

Transport Scotland Thistle Assistance CalMac Ferries NorthLink Ferries ScotRail Stagecoach East Scotland McGill's Buses First Glasgow Glasgow Airport Edinburgh Airport

24/03/2025

Read about how the Thistle Assistance card has helped Heather from Dundee.

"My diabetes is increasingly affecting my vision, but I aim to stay as active and independent as I can for as long as possible.

"I find the Thistle Assistance card is an easy way to ask for help whenever I need it without making a song and dance about it. It just discreetly informs a member of transport staff what I need, whether that’s assistance getting off the train or letting me know when it’s my stop. The card’s always in my wallet now so it gives me peace of mind when I travel."

Get your Thistle Assistance card, or download the app today: https://www.thistleassistance.com/

19/03/2025

We all welcome a little extra assistance now and again, particularly when travelling alone. Thistle Assistance is an initiative to help you feel safer and more comfortable when using public transport.

You may prefer more time to get to your seat. You may like your driver to speak more slowly and clearly. The Thistle Assistance card and app let transport staff know in an easy and subtle way what extra support you’d like.

Find out more: https://www.thistleassistance.com/