Bus and coach driver training materials
Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and its network of volunteer-led UK Sight Loss Councils have launched award winning bus and coach driver training materials. These approved materials are designed to inform bus and coach drivers of how best to support blind or partially sighted (BPS) passengers. The ‘Vision Impairment Awareness for Bus Drivers’ training materials are available to all bus operators and trainers.
- The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has approved the materials for their members, who make up 95 per cent of local bus services. They also make up 60 per cent of coach operators across the UK.
- The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed the content is suitable and has met its conditions for approval for Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This is the training bus and coach drivers do every five years to carry out their job.
- The training materials were honoured with a prestigious award, the BCoE Collaboration Award, at the Bus Centre of Excellence Conference in Portsmouth in September 2025. The materials are also shortlisted for the UK Bus Awards 2025, with winners being announced soon.
Why bus travel is so important
In the short extract from the training materials, blind and partially sighted Sight Loss Council volunteers and TPT staff are sat on a bus talking about the importance of bus travel. The end slide says you can learn more at www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk and includes the Sight Loss Councils, Brighton and Hove Buses, and Thomas Pocklington Trust logos.
About the training
BPS volunteers created the training using their lived experience of bus travel, working with Brighton and Hove Buses. Three of the training videos are narrated by Paralympic Gold medallist, Lora Fachie OBE, a former Sight Loss Council member.
The resources include:
- A powerful training video for drivers called ‘Helping blind and partially sighted passengers’. Co-created by Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT), Sight Loss Councils (SLC) and Brighton and Hove Buses. The film is designed to encourage best practice in drivers. Similarly, it promotes inclusion and ensures equality of passenger experience when using buses as a blind or partially sighted person. Narrated by Paralympic Gold medallist, Laura Fachie OBE, the video carries a strong strapline of ‘See and Stop, Speak and Support’ to help with independence and confidence of blind and partially sighted passengers.
- A short film called, ‘Why is bus travel important for blind and partially sighted passengers?’ featuring a collage of clips from blind and partially sighted travellers who explain the importance of accessible buses and the independence they provide. The film also touches on how impactful a bus driver can be to their journey.
- A step-by-step video guide for bus drivers on supporting blind and partially sighted passengers to board and disembark a bus.
- A 90-minute PowerPoint presentation, packed with lived experience using film and audio. The session includes vision impairment statistics, eye care health, how to recognise a person with a vision impairment, visual and film representations of different eye conditions, communicating with a blind or partially sighted person alongside practical guiding tips.
Bus operators and trainers can download and adopt the materials via the CPT compliance manual from September 2024 and the DVSA from November 2024.
What our partners say about the training materials
DVSA Stakeholder Correspondence Manager Charles Wright said:
“By bringing together voluntary groups, industry, regulators, and passengers, this project has created an invaluable resource to improve accessibility and enhance bus driver training.
“It demonstrates how collaboration can turn complex challenges into scalable, sustainable solutions.
“DVSA’s priority is to make sure bus drivers have the training and confidence to support disabled passengers. This work has strengthened our commitment to ensuring public transport works for everyone.”
Keith McNally, Operations Director at the Confederation of Passenger Transport, said:
“CPT welcomes the new training material, which will enhance the abilities of public service vehicle (PSV) drivers to identify, assist and support our sector’s customers. Bus and coach operators can now utilise this training, which will complement their investment in wider accessibility measures and should enable blind and partially sighted people to have greater confidence when travelling on their local bus services.”
Ed Wills, Managing Director, Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, said:
“These training films are a new and innovative way of demonstrating to drivers the vital role they play in supporting blind and partially sighted passengers. We are always striving to make bus travel as accessible as possible which is why we contributed to the making of these films.”
Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users UK, said:
“Accessible transport is a lifeline for people, providing access to essential services, education and employment. This initiative is extremely welcome and will have a huge impact on passengers with sight-loss, enabling them to travel safely and with confidence.”
Access the bus and coach driver training materials
- Bus operators and trainers can download and adopt the materials via the CPT compliance manual and the DVSA Better for Business website. For the DVSA, visit the ‘Bus and Coach Driver CPC Resource Packs‘ page, download the accessibility resource pack and use ‘VI Awareness Resources and Vision Awareness (trainers notes).’
- Alternatively, contact us to request a copy.
