Leading Scottish Politician backs Talking Buses

Our Talking Buses campaign has been given a boost. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has backed our call for audio visual announcements on buses, to help some of the 180,000 people in Scotland who are blind or partially sighted.

She said: "Those who travel by train will be used to the regular announcements and messages telling passengers what the next stop is, and the train's destination.

"This is of enormous help to rail users and of particular assistance to those with visual impairments.

"But I believe that this use of technology could be extended to help even more people by being extended to buses."

Ms Davidson said: "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 bus and coach services across the UK."

James White, Campaigns Officer at Guide Dogs, said: "We welcome the Scottish Conservatives' support for our Talking Buses campaign, as we believe everyone has the right to know where they are along a route."