Bus operator supports travel charter for visually impaired people

Bus operator Go-Ahead has become the latest transport company to sign up to a charity Bus Charter that aims to ensure its services are accessible for passengers with sight loss.

Pledging its support to the Royal National Institute of Blind People's (RNIB) charter, Go-Ahead commits to meeting the 13 commitments stated in the document in a bid to improve bus travel for blind and partially-sighted people.

Go-Ahead is the latest bus operator to sign the charter, following on from National Express West Midlands. The RNIB will now host a number of local ‘Swap with me’ events with Go-Ahead staff, allowing them to swap places with blind and partially sighted people and learn from their experiences.

Director of engagement at the RNIB, Fazilet Hadi, said: "Blind and partially sighted people rely on buses to get out and about. Bus companies have a vital role to play in enabling people to travel safely and independently. Timetable information needs to be accessible and buses need to stop at bus stops. Bus drivers need to help people find a seat and when there are no audio announcements, let people know when to get off the bus."

She added: "We are delighted Go-Ahead has signed up to our Bus Charter. This builds on the success we have had working with local Go-Ahead operators across England."

Bus development managing director for Go-Ahead, Martin Dean, added: "We're committed to improving journeys for all customers, and it's important to us that blind and partially sighted customers have a positive experience when travelling by bus."