Guide Dogs applauds Nottingham City’s ‘talking buses’ for blind and partially-sighted people

Guide Dogs is applauding a ‘talking bus’ service being launched by Nottingham City Transport , which will make bus travel safer and more user-friendly for blind and partially-sighted people.

The audio-visual announcement system tells passengers which stop is coming up, and when the bus has arrived there - meaning the drivers no longer have to ‘call out’ stops to passengers.

Through its ‘Talking Buses’ campaign, Guide Dogs is pushing for a change in regulations to make audio and visual information for passengers mandatory on board all buses and coaches in the UK.

John Welsman, Guide Dogs Transport Policy Officer said:” Guide Dogs welcomes Nottingham City Transport’s introduction of audio-visual systems on their buses. Not only will it be a big boost in increasing the confidence and safety of blind and partially sighted bus passengers, it will make getting around Nottingham easier for all residence and visitors.

“Without audio-visual systems on buses telling blind and partially sighted passengers where they are and where they’re going, bus travel can be prohibitive for a group of passengers who cannot see where they are, by looking out of the window.

“Having your stop announced to you, as a blind or partially sighted bus passenger is far more satisfying and confidence building than having to rely on other passengers or the bus driver to tell you where you are on a journey ".

More information about Guide Dogs campaign is available at http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/talkingbuses where you can find resources - including template letters to MPs - to help lend your voices to the campaign.

Nottingham City Transport will launch the on-bus stop announcements to the brand new buses on Go2 routes 77 to Strelley and 45 to Gedling in the autumn and they are searching for the voice for their buses!

This system will announce the name of the next bus stop as the bus travels along the route as well as the final destination for the route and places of interest/important buildings at key stops.