A DISABLED man has hit out at his treatment by a rail company when he tried to travel back to York from a day out in Liverpool.

John Rathmell, 59, of Rawcliffe, said a conductor refused to allow his motorised scooter on board the First Transpennine Express train because he did not have a company permit.

The Liverpool fan, who had been on a visit to Anfield organised by his daughter, Sarah, claimed no one had explained to him when booking tickets for the return journey that he needed such a permit.

He had earlier travelled from York to Liverpool with the same train operator without anyone demanding to see such a permit, and he regularly travelled with other rail operators such as East Coast and Northern without them requiring one.

Mr Rathmell, who has neuropathy but can walk short distances, said the conductor’s stance risked leaving him, Sarah and her four-year-old daughter, Evie, stranded in Liverpool.

He said he then decided to take direct action, and stood with one step on the train and one on the platform at Liverpool Lime Street station, saying: “This train is going nowhere without me.”

He said the conductor then changed his mind and let him and the scooter on board, but was still behaving in an aggressive and unhelpful way. And because of the delay in getting on board, he missed the chance to sit alongside his scooter in disabled seats, and had to sit one and a half carriages away. “I think my treatment was absolutely disgusting,” he said.

A First Transpennine Express spokesman said it was committed to providing an accessible and safe service for all, and was aware of Mr Rathwell’s concerns and was discussing the matter with him.

He said that as part of a Disabled Person’s Protection Policy, customers who wished to travel with powered scooters could do so at anytime as long as the scooter was foldable and stowed as luggage.

“Due to the size and space required for non-foldable scooters, certain travel restrictions apply and we would encourage customers to contact us directly, so that we may explain the conditions further. Customers can book assisted travel with us and can apply for a free First Transpennine Express Scooter pass.”

He said Transpennine Express staff should always be approachable and had been trained to offer, as required, any appropriate help.