A woman campaigning for companion travel passes in Greater Manchester has described the cost of living with a disability as 'overwhelming' and comparable to having a second mortgage.
Laurel, a 42-year-old from Salford, has spent over £15,000 on disability-related expenses since her health deteriorated in 2023. This includes costs for a carer to accompany her on journeys.
Her remarks come as the All Hours All Voices group, of which she is a member, launches a campaign for a 'truly inclusive companion pass' for disabled people. The pass would allow a carer to travel for free and would not be tied to benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Financial burden of disability
According to research by Scope, disabled people in the UK need an average of £1,000 extra per month to achieve the same standard of living as non-disabled people. Laurel says this figure aligns with her personal experience.
'That's like having a second mortgage,' she said. 'I've spent over £15,000 since 2023 on disability-related expenses alone.'
Laurel highlighted the high cost of mobility equipment. The NHS offered her a wheelchair that she could not self-propel, so she rents a power wheelchair for £257 per week.
Transport challenges
She often uses her carer's car because paying mileage is cheaper than covering the carer's round-trip bus fare. She believes a companion pass would make public transport a more affordable and eco-friendly option for disabled people.
'As a disabled person, I really want to be more environmentally conscious, but those options need to be affordable,' she said.
She also noted that disabled people are up to four times more likely to die in a natural disaster than non-disabled people, underscoring the importance of accessible and affordable transport.
Emotional toll
Laurel described the administrative burden of managing her disability as overwhelming. 'I feel like I haven't had time to grieve the things I miss doing, like dancing and hiking, because I'm so bogged down in survival and fighting for support,' she said.
She expressed frustration that public transport comes with extra costs and barriers for disabled people. Companion passes, she argued, would empower disabled individuals to make greener travel choices when possible.
TfGM response
Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: 'We are committed to delivering a public transport network that is inclusive and accessible for all. Carers play a vital and valued role, and we continue to explore options around introducing companion passes on the Bee Network.'
