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Talking Buses - are we there yet?
Buses play a vital role in enabling disabled people, including those who are blind or partially-sighted, to live more independent lives. But the worry of not being sure if you have got on the right bus, where you are on your journey, or when your stop is coming up, puts many people off using them.
Guide Dogs is campaigning for a change in the law to make audio and visual information – including audible announcements of the current stop, next stop and final destination – available on board every bus and scheduled coach service in the UK.
This will enable blind and partially-sighted people to use buses with confidence, and improve the experience of bus travel for all passengers.
Why are we taking action?
By law, most trains have audio-visual (AV) information systems on board, and these make rail travel user-friendly for everyone. But the same law does not apply to buses. We think it should – and we are calling for the government to change the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations to state that “audio-visual systems are installed on every scheduled bus and coach service across the UK.”
Our research report 'Audio and Visual Information on buses' shows that the lack of information on board buses makes blind and partially-sighted people dependent on the help of other passengers or the driver, and they often end up feeling anxious, and vulnerable. Many give up using the bus altogether. No-one should be prevented from using public transport because of a lack of clear and accessible information.
As well as blind and partially-sighted people, ‘Talking Buses’ will help other people – including the elderly, people with hearing impairments and learning disabilities – by making them feel reassured that clear and timely information is always available. This will also benefit passengers unfamiliar with the area or bus route, including tourists, and people who can’t read information screens.
Read about audio-visual information schemes that are already up and running
How you can take action!
By giving us just two minutes of your time you can really help raise awareness of the importance of the issue of AV information on buses. Follow this link to find out how you can help
What are we doing?
We are lobbying government to change the regulations – reminding them of their responsibility to make public transport accessible to everyone. Follow this link to see some of the actions we’re taking to make it happen.
Contact Us
Please email campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk if you have information about 'talking buses' in your area and how they have helped people, or if you need any help with campaigning.
Alternatively, please call 01189 838 308 and leave a message – we’ll phone you back.
