#MakeBusesAccessible

Buses are the principal form of transport for blind and partially sighted (BPS) people. But they simply aren’t accessible enough to enable blind and partially sighted people to travel independently. We are here to change this.

69 per cent of public transport journeys in Great Britain were made on local buses in the financial year ending 2021. They are the most heavily used public transport mode by people with mobility difficulty.

BPS people can face a range of challenges accessing bus services, including having to navigate unfamiliar layouts whilst the bus is travelling.

Our Sight Loss Councils work regularly with local transport authorities and operators to improve accessibility. This includes by raising awareness of the needs of BPS customers and running highly successful ‘Meet the Buses’ events across the country. We also regularly run campaigns to raise issues with and enact national change through government ministers and MPs.

Left to right: Trainee driver Richard Ward, Training and Recruitment Manager Keith Sheard and Trainee Driver Chantelle Pisarkeiwicz. They are stood in a line in front of a red First York bus. They are smiling.

York SLC meets with bus drivers to help increase accessibility of travelBlind and partially sighted people met with drivers and managers at bus operator First York to discuss further ways to help and support people’s travel needs, increase accessibility and encourage a return to bus use after the pandemic. Read more

Audio-visual announcement breakthroughFollowing a Sight Loss Council campaign, the Government has brought forward the timetable for the provision of audio-visual announcements on buses. Read more

A woman with a white cane guiding a man wearing sim specs by a bus, both wearing high vis vests

“Small changes make a big difference”Black Country Sight Loss Council teamed up with National Express to deliver its first-ever 'Meet the Buses' event at Wolverhampton bus depot. Read all about the event here. Read more

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