Here, in the States, not every AMTRAK station is staffed. But, every train has conductors. Those conductors will bring out the ramp or other assistive device for you to board. Admittedly, I don’t know of any person with a disability who didn’t make an advanced reservation since there’s only a certain amount of wheelchair spots on each train. And, AMTRAK suggests that everyone buy an advance ticket via their website or app. The only people I see who buy tickets in person at a staffed station are tourists from outside the US or those with no access to a cell phone or computer or who are paying in cash. (Yeah, the unhoused.)

Keep in mind that we also have regional commuter trains and those don’t require an advanced reservation. You can buy your ticket at the station’s ticket machines since many of the stations are unmanned. Like with AMTRAK, when the conductor sees you on the platform, they’ll know to assist you.

As someone who has NEVER booked ahead when travelling on the train in the UK, this worries me. Of course, I could be more organised and book in advance, but then again, why should I have to? We need need the playing field levelled, not extra tasks to keep in mind just to take the same trip that an able-bodied person can take without thinking.