Bus driver training materials showcased at Transport Minister visit
Sight Loss Councils met with the Local Transport Minister in Brighton on 3 December to celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities and share details of our free bus driver training materials created with Brighton & Hove buses.
During the visit , Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, encouraged transport operators nationwide to follow Brighton & Hove Buses’ lead and improve accessibility on their bus services.
He learnt how Sight Loss Councils, and Thomas Pocklington Trust, worked with Brighton & Hove Buses to develop bus driver training materials to ensure blind and partially sighted passengers would be supported.
Gold industry standard bus driver training
The minister learnt how this bus driver training, approved by the Confederation of Passenger Transport, is now seen as the industry gold standard and is on offer to all bus operators across the country. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has also confirmed the content suitable for the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training all bus and coach drivers do.
Simon Lightwood also heard a talk about specially designed buses at Brighton & Hove Buses centered around being as accessible as possible. This includes displaying information for those with hearing and sight impairments, and increased space for wheelchairs.
As part of the visit, the minister met with Sight Loss Councils and other disabled passengers who rely on these services, hearing about how they directly contributed to the design and feel more confident when travelling on these buses.
SLCs work to increase accessibility at train stations
SLCs demonstrate AIRA app to Transport Minister
We also showcased the AIRA app we trailed with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). Following the success of this work, GTR recently extended the app to all of its 236 stations.
Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager, David Smith, explained:
“Being able to talk about the work we’re doing with Govia Thameslink Railway and Brighton & Hove Buses, and to demonstrate the AIRA provision at Brighton train station to Simon, was fantastic.
“He was really engaging and could really appreciate how our work is making a real difference to blind and partially sighted people, particularly those that don’t have the confidence to travel on public transport currently.”
Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:
“We want to build a transport system that works for everyone, and Brighton & Hove are leading the way in making this a reality for bus passengers.
“Speaking with local disabled people, it was clear how much they valued these services and we want operators across the country to learn from this leading approach – enabling everyone to travel with confidence.”
Ed Wills, Managing Director for Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, added:
“We are the leading operator for customer journeys per head of population outside of London so accessible travel is vital for connecting our community.
“Listening and learning from the lived experience of disabled people including co-designing our policies, initiatives and new vehicles helps to ensure a more inclusive journey for all.
“This is an important part of our ongoing partnership working with Brighton & Hove City Council and local community groups to improve our network for all customers.
The Department for Transport (DfT) explained that the visit follows the government announcing £1 billion of bus funding, £9.2 million specifically for Brighton & Hove City Council, to keep fares down, protect local routes and deliver more reliable services.
To help build on the DfT’s bold ambitions to make the transport network accessible, it shared how local authorities should consider how any improvements to services using this funding impact accessibility.
The Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023 we have been campaigning for have also come into effect for newer vehicles, which require operators of local bus and coach services to provide accessible information on the route, direction of travel and each upcoming stop. See Providing accessible information onboard local bus and coach services for more information.
Are you a bus operator or trainer?
Bus operators and trainers can download and adopt the materials via the CPT compliance manual from September 2024 and the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency from December 2024.
Learn more about how to access our free bus driver training materials
Publication date: 16 December 2024