Travel charter press release survey

Press release 7/10/02

Guide dog owners call for ticket to ride

Blind and partially sighted people, especially guide dog owners, are getting a rough ride on buses and coaches, according to research published today. But a new Travel Charter, launched by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, may provide an answer to many of their problems.

The research shows that guide dog owners encounter three major hurdles when they use passenger transport systems: a lack of accessible information; a lack of awareness amongst staff of how to work with disabled customers; and poorly designed vehicles which make travel difficult or dangerous.

The nationwide survey, which is launched at the start of Guide Dog Week (7-13 October) also shows that 72 per cent of guide dog owners who frequently use bus services experience problems with them.

Guide Dogs has been talking to transport operators as part of its ?Access for All? campaign, encouraging them to throw their doors open to guide dog owners by signing up to the Guide Dog Travel Charter. The Charter invites transport operators not only to welcome guide dog owners (and other assistance dog owners), but also to ensure their staff are familiar with the needs of visually impaired people. Even before the official launch of the Guide Dog Travel Charter, five train companies and British Airways have signed up to it.

The problems faced by guide dog owners include a lack of announcements about stops on bus routes and of automated announcements on many trains; drivers leaving guide dog owners stranded at bus stops or forcing them to walk into the road to board the bus; and the inconsistency of the layout of buses and lack of room for guide dogs. The potentially life-threatening gap between trains and platform edges also came in for criticism, although guide dog owners often praised the helpful attitude of many railway employees.

Geraldine Peacock, Guide Dogs? Chief Executive, said:

?Guide dogs provide blind and partially sighted people with freedom and mobility, but to make full use of that independence guide dog owners need accessible and reliable public transport. This research shows that poor design, a lack of information and lack of knowledge amongst staff are serious issues which need to be addressed.

?However some of the findings are extremely positive, with guide dog owners praising a number of airline and train operators for first-class service ? an example which we would encourage all transport providers to follow.?

(To shadow a local guide dog owner in your area and get first hand experience of travelling without vision, please phone 0118 983 8281).

The survey also reveals examples of good practice and many operators, particularly rail companies and airlines, are praised for providing an excellent service. Generally high standards of customer service and operators who provide adequate space to accommodate guide dogs are cited as examples of good practice which are commended to the rest of the passenger transport industry.

In an effort to tackle bad practice, guide dog owners are calling for:

• the provision of fully accessible information flexible and reliable customer services support improved staff training and disability awareness better education of non-disabled passengers, and a common approach to the accessible design of passenger carrying vehicles.

Geraldine Peacock added:

?The fact that some operators are praised for demonstrating best practice shows that there is no valid reason why all of them can?t deliver those standards. We look forward to fully accessible services at the earliest possible opportunity.?