Blind and partially sighted customers meet with bus drivers in Leeds to help increase accessibility of travel

Blind and partially sighted people met with drivers and managers at bus operator First Bus in Leeds to discuss further ways to help and support their travel needs, understand the challenges faced and encourage confidence in using the bus network.

At the Swap With Me visit, members of the RNIB demonstrated special glasses that simulate a range of eye conditions to show the challenges people with sight loss face when travelling on public transport.

First Bus created a mock bus stop at its Bramley depot with drivers and other members of the team attempting to board using the simulation glasses. RNIB attendees then swapped places with the drivers to gain an insight into what challenges drivers face when carrying out their job.

Wearing the ‘sim specs’, the First Bus team performed typical situations on a bus journey: boarding, checking the route and destination, requesting assistance to get off at the desired stop, using their pass and finding a seat.

Maqsood Sheikh, Senior Regional Campaigns Officer, Yorkshire & Humber, said: “Travelling on buses is vital for blind and partially sighted people to get to work, go shopping and live their lives independently.

“With so many people attending this event, it was a fantastic opportunity for First Bus staff and people with sight loss to swap and share their travelling experiences.

“Our group really enjoyed being able to sit in the cab and understand more about what a driver has to do when they are behind the wheel while discussing how they can help improve the accessibility for blind and partially sighted people. This level of engagement really helps to improve the bus travel experience for people with sight loss.”

One RNIB campaigner, Jade, added: “I didn’t realise all the different tasks that the drivers had to think about when they are in the cab; what they had to focus on. I think it was good for us as visually impaired people and the drivers to experience the other’s perspective and the different challenges we all face.”

Lloyd Jones, Assistant Training and Recruitment Manager at First North & West Yorkshire, hosted with visit with David Jones and colleagues running the training school at the Bramley depot.

He said: “We have built a lot of content about accessibility into our driver training but it is invaluable to hear the lived experiences of blind and partially sighted people.

“The simulation glasses really helped to show us all what it can be like coping with limited sight when travelling on the bus. We will look to add some of the learning from today to refresh our training activity.”  

First Bus also talked about on-bus technology such as audio visual (AV) next stop screens and announcements, which is now specified as standard on all new vehicles ordered by the operator. RNIB visitors were also introduced to its new electric buses and features including the special sound that is activated as the vehicle approaches a stop.

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