All posts by Quingo Scooters

Public Transport

Taking your Quingo on a tram

In the third of a series of articles about taking your Quingo scooter on public transport, today, the Quingo team want to talk about taking your scooter on trams.

Taking your Quingo on the tram

The majority of modern tram services in the UK have developed high levels of access. Much like buses, tram companies are not obliged by law to carry mobility scooters, but some will if they meet specific criteria.

Permit schemes

Currently, of the six tram operators only some carry a permit scheme, so you should always check the specific details with the individual operators. If an operator doesn’t run a permit scheme, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it won’t accept mobility scooters, but it may mean that whether you can take your Quingo on the tram is left to the discretion of the conductor.

In November, the BBC reported on how a mobility scooter ban on Manchester’s Metrolink trams was lifted after a trial. The trial lasted from March to early November and during that time more than eighty permits were issued.  This demonstrates the demand for people with mobility scooters to take their vehicles on public transport.

As of April 2014, all tram companies with permit schemes used the same size restrictions that are used on buses. To find out more about taking your scooter on the bus you can look at our recent blog post, visit the RICA website or contact your local bus company.

Planning your journeys

For service information, you should contact your individual tram operator. All have online and telephone information explaining the details of the fares and assistance offered, in addition to access information.

Specific details about each of the tram operators’ policies is outlined on the RICA website. However, the information is dated from April and we encourage you to contact each tram operator if you’re uncertain about any of the individual details of their policies.

Allows mobility scooters (as of April 2014) Permit Scheme (as of April 2014)
Blackpool (Tramway) Yes Yes
Croydon (Tramlink) Yes No
Manchester (Metrolink) Yes Yes
Midlands (Midland Metro) Yes No
Nottingham (NET) Yes No
Sheffield (Supertram) Yes Yes

 

Get in touch

We want you to have the best possible experience when using your Quingo and hope that you’ve found this blog post to be helpful.

If you’ve been anywhere interesting on your Quingo, we’d love to hear about it. Please send your stories and any photos to [email protected] and we can post them on our blog.

News

Quingo receive customer service award

The Quingo team are delighted to announce that we’ve received an award commending the feedback we get from Quingo Scooter users.

Feefo’s Gold Award – reviews that you can trust

As a result of our customer service over 2014, we were awarded with the Feefo Gold Trusted Merchant Accreditation.

Quingo Scooters

For those who don’t know, Feefo is an independent customer review system for businesses. Feefo specialises in generating reviews that both companies and customers can rely on.

All of our customers are able to give their feedback anonymously by rating their scooters and our services with one of four options; these are: excellent, good, poor or bad.

What this means for the Quingo customers and the Quingo team

Speaking about the award, Quingo’s Managing Director Mark Nicholl’s said: “Feefo specialise in providing feedback that’s comprehensive, genuine and recognised across the globe, so this accolade is a superb reflection of our services and dedication to our customers.

“Feefo’s gold rating is given to companies whose customers rate them above 95% in both service and satisfaction. Of over one hundred reviews, positive feedback about our services and product currently stands at 99% and 100% respectively.

“Our customers’ safety and mobility is paramount to us and we’re consistently delighted with the feedback we receive.”

Some examples of customer feedback

The criteria for accreditation is by no means easy to meet. Nevertheless, the award was given us as a result of the consistent positive feedback from Quingo scooter users received directly by Feefo.

Here are just a few examples of the anonymised customer feedback that we received:

Quingo Flyte user:

Service rating: “The service was excellent and very friendly I had two test drives before buying it and they were excellent showing me how it went into the car as I have to do all these things on my own and I am no spring chicken.”
Product: “After 20 years plus with electric wheelchairs that would not cope with uneven pavements etc that tipped you into the road the Flyte is brilliant… It has coped with icy pavements which the wheelchair could not manage… I would certainly recommend it.”

Quingo Plus user:

Service rating: “I find the Quingo to be safe and reassuring when I’m using it.”
Product: “Love my Quingo Plus, safe as houses both on the road and footpaths. wonderful and have recommended it to my friends who are having difficult with their Mobility.”

Quingo Vitess user

Service rating: “I have received nothing but super service since my first enquiry”

Product: “My Vitess is so much more comfortable than my previous scooters and the kerb climbing is fantastic. I’m so enjoying getting out and about! Well done Quingo!”

Find out more about Feefo

The Feefo Gold Trusted Merchant accreditation is only awarded to companies that consistently deliver great customer service. We’d like to thank you all for your tremendous feedback.

To find out more about what Quingo’s customers are saying about their scooters visit: http://www.feefo.com/GB/en/reviews/Quingo/?id=1013585

Maintenance

Thinking of changing car and wondering what to do with your Quingo Flyte docking station?

If you have a Quingo Flyte and are thinking about selling or changing your car, you might be wondering whether your Quingo Flyte docking station affects this.

Today, the Quingo team talk you through how easy it is to remove and refit your docking station. Continue reading Thinking of changing car and wondering what to do with your Quingo Flyte docking station? →

Public Transport

Taking your Quingo on the Train – Part 2

We’ve previously written about taking your Quingo scooter on the train by making use of the Passenger Assistance scheme.

Prefer to plan and book your journey yourself?

It’s not always possible, or desirable to book your journey in advance and you may prefer to organise this yourself. If this applies to you, here are some key points to consider before you start your journey:

  • Your scooter will also need to fit on any ramps used for boarding the train, be within the weight limits prescribed by the individual train company and be able to manoeuvre into the wheelchair space. This won’t be a problem with your Quingo scooter – the 5 wheel configuration offers unequalled agility and allows for tighter turning in confined spaces.
  • Some companies run permit schemes for mobility scooters. If you apply for one, you’ll be asked for details about the dimensions and other features of your scooter so that the train company can assess whether or not it’s acceptable. You will need one permit per scooter.

Finding out more

The Disability Aboard website, run by the Association of Train Operators (ATOC) has a handy list of travel tips, including things like how to avoid the barriers at stations and how accessible the station is. This can help with planning how to get in and around the station.

If you are unsure whether your Quingo meets the criteria, or if you have any other train travel queries, we recommend contacting National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50. They will be able to provide you with up to date travel and accessibility information.

Where have you been?

Have you been anywhere exciting on your Quingo? If you have, we want to hear about it, send your stories and any photos to [email protected] and we can post them on our blog.

Quingo Scooters
We want you to get out and about on your Quingo

If you have any questions about your Quingo, please complete the enquiry form and one of our friendly and knowledgeable team will get back to you. Alternatively you can call our customer service line on 01582 430 900.

Maintenance

Simple maintenance for your Quingo

Today we want to look at some simple maintenance checks you should regularly do on your Quingo. These are to ensure safety and optimal performance of your scooter. We’ve also shared some brief tips on how to clean your scooter, and keep it looking its best.

Making sure your Quingo’s in top shape

Here are some general points that apply to all of the scooters in the Quingo range. These are quick and easy examinations that can be done regularly. For a full list of details on how to maintain your scooter, please refer to your specific model’s service guide and handbook:

  • Visually check the machine for damage – You should be aware of any noticeable damage to your scooter, regardless of whether this affects its performance.
  • Check pressure & visually check the tyres for damage – If your scooter has inflatable tyres, you should check the tyre pressure regularly (please refer to your scooter handbook for recommended tyre pressure). If the tyres are below the recommended pressure the steering and range of the vehicle may be affected.
  • If you opted for solid tyres– These don’t need inflating, but it’s still good practice to examine them visually for any irregularities.
  • Check the throttle – You should check to make sure that your throttle has full and free movement and there’s no change to its functionality.

    Quingo Scooters
    The throttle mechanism on the Quingo Flyte
  • Check the steering – You should regularly check to see that the steering is moving both freely and smoothly.
  • Check the batteries – You should ensure that your batteries are fully charged before journeys. If battery life is becoming a concern, for advice please complete the enquiry form or contact our customer service team on 01582 430 900. We have also written a brief guide on  battery care.
    Quingo Scooters
  • Check the armrest and seatbelt operation – Make sure the armrests are tight and secure and ensure the seatbelt engages and releases before travelling on your Quingo.

    Quingo Scooters
    The lap belt on the Quingo Plus

In addition, here’s some advice on keeping your Quingo clean.

Cleaning your Quingo

Here’s a quick run through of things to bear in mind when cleaning your Quingo:

  • Only use a damp cloth and gentle detergent
  • Don’t use any abrasive or scouring liquids
  • Don’t use high-pressure cleaning devices

Your safety and comfort

Customer safety and comfort is our priority and we want you to get full use out of your Quingo. For a full list of details on how to maintain your Quingo, please refer to your specific model’s service guide and handbook. Alternatively, please get in touch with our friendly customer service team on 01582 430 900 and they’ll be happy to help.