A report by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has highlighted that particular barriers are making bus travel too challenging for many. It also outlines the steps needed to make bus travel more accessible.
The #AllAboard report shows, which the charity says is the first in a series on how people with sight loss get around, finds that while having the option of travelling by bus is “very important” for 83 per cent, fewer than half of blind and partially sighted people can make all the journeys by bus that they want or need to,
The response indicate that bus routes and stops are less detectable and reliable than those of trains or trams. There is little or no possibility of the assistance from staff that is available for rail travel. Added to these challenges are new trends in bus stop design, incorporating cycle tracks at bus stops.
RNIB’s Policy Lead Erik Matthies, who has sight loss, said: “These new findings demonstrate that we need all the decision makers to play their part. With changes everywhere and plans to extend bus franchising in both England and Wales, now’s the time for local authorities and bus operators to act on the experiences of blind and partially sighted people, to make all buses accessible, reliable, and safe.”
Lucy Edwards, Broadcaster, disability activist, and content creator, said: “With the right support from local and national governments, better design and awareness from bus companies, and just a little more understanding from our fellow passengers, we can make the bus a space that blind and partially sighted people can use confidently and comfortably.”
The report contains recommendations for comprehensive change from bus operators and local authorities that would make bus travel more accessible for people with sight loss. The charity is calling on bus operators to:
- Improve driver training to ensure they understand how best to support blind and partially sighted passengers.
- Enhance bus design to include clear, accessible destination boards, consistent placement and colour contrast of card and travel pass readers, and a clearly highlighted payment gap.
It is calling on local authorities to:
- Monitor and maintain pavement quality near bus stops, minimizing street obstacles.
- Improve lighting at bus stops.
- Enhance Passenger Information Displays (PIDs) at bus stops.
- Ensure free concessionary travel for blind and partially sighted people at all times of the day.