To mark Road Safety Week 2024, we were delighted to be invited to tour some of the fleet serving Cornish residents and learn more about what drivers can do to help blind and partially sighted passengers.
Using public transport can be daunting when you have sight loss; to help ease some worries we caught up with the team from Transport for Cornwall and First Bus Kernow to get your questions answered. We’re often asked by people, how do you catch a bus when you’re blind or partially sighted? And it was a fantastic opportunity to get the answers from the experts themselves.
iSightCornwall team member Dom, who is severely sight impaired, was given a tour of both the double decker bus and the standard one-story bus, he was able to feel his way around the different layouts and get familiar with how to board and leave the bus, and where to pay.
We spoke with Phil from First Bus and asked some questions from our members:
How can I get a bus to stop for me as a blind or partially sighted person?
Phil: All of our drivers should stop for anyone waiting at a bus stop. Our drivers have recently had training which helps them identify people who may need extra time or support. If a passenger is wearing a visually impaired awareness lanyard or is holding a white cane, then that’s also a good way to inform the driver that you are blind or partially sighted.
How do I get on and pay the driver?
Once we’ve stopped for you, if you need help getting on the bus then the driver will be able to help you. All of our buses can either be lowered to allow you to get on more easily or have a ramp which can unfold for you. If you are using your card to pay, then there’s an easy way to pay using contactless where you simply place your card against a pad until it beeps. If you’re using cash then your driver will be able to help you.
How do I know when to get off the bus as a blind or partially sighted person?
If you let your driver know where you’re going when you get on the bus and ask them to let you know when you have reached your destination, then they will let you know where to get off. We’re currently working on a speaker system which will be on all buses that will announce the next stop to make it even easier for you to track your journey. The buttons to press the bell are all tactile and have braille on them for those who can read it.
How do I find a seat on the bus as a blind or partially sighted person?
The driver should wait until everyone is seated before pulling away and if you’re unsure then they can describe where the nearest empty seat is for you. Our buses are now fitted with cameras so the driver can see if someone is standing up, using the stairs on a double-decker, or in need of assistance.
What happens in an emergency?
Our drivers have undergone a training program on what to do in an emergency. They will be able to assess the situation and identify those who need help, and they will guide you off the bus and to a safe place.
What training have the drivers had in assisting blind and partially sighted people?
All of our drivers have undergone sight loss awareness training, they were even blindfolded and had to find their way around the bus so they could experience what it would be like to try and use the bus when you have little or no sight. The drivers also know that some people prefer to be independent so it’s always best to communicate with your driver if and what help you would like.
A huge thank you to Phil and the team at First Bus Kernow and Transport for Cornwall for answering our questions and inviting us along to have a tour of the bus.
If you have any questions or would like some advice or help on catching the bus where you live, please contact iSightCornwall and we can pass your questions onto the team at First Bus. Call us on 01872 261110 or email info@isightcornwall.org.uk
