[Nfbmo] Something to consider for all forms of transportation

Nancy Lynn freespirit at accessibleworld.org
Thu Jul 25 11:50:24 UTC 2013


RNIB Bus Relay kicks off in Stoke for 'fortnight of action' 
 
Blind and partially sighted people will undertake a special bus journey in Stoke to demonstrate the barriers they face when travelling on buses. 
The Royal National Institute of Blind People's (RNIB) bus relay is a series of bus journeys across England as part of a fortnight of action. Each of the nine regions will hold a relay journey to raise awareness for RNIB's Stop for Me, Speak to Me bus campaign and to gather evidence in support of mandatory training for bus drivers. 

Starting off in Stoke on 19 July, these bus journeys will give the passengers a chance to document their experiences and explain how important accessible bus travel is to them. The views of passengers from all regions will be compiled into a special audio document. 

The final journey of the relay will finish with the handover of the audio document and report to Norman Baker, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Transport. These documents will provide essential evidence that will hopefully encourage Norman Baker to push for mandatory training for bus drivers when the Department of Transport reviews the issue next year. 

Natalie Doig, RNIB Campaigns Officer, said: "Although these journeys are not a traditional relay; they form a symbolic relay linking all the regions within England and represent the handing over of shared experience and evidence. 

"We want to highlight that the problems blind and partially sighted people face are often the same across the whole country. 

"Catching a bus should not be a sight test. Local bus travel is a lifeline, providing an important means of transport and we want operators to remember one simple principle: Stop for me, Speak to me." 

The event will kick off with bus drivers swapping places with blind people and include tasks such as trying to board a bus and paying for a ticket. By them experiencing first hand the barriers their blind and partially sighted customers face when travelling on buses, it is hoped it will prompt operators to take on board the campaign's key asks. 

Tristram Hunt, MP for Stoke on Trent Central, will be attending to close the event at 2.00pm. 

Join our campaign. If you think blind or partially sighted people shouldn't be left behind at bus stops visit www.rnib.org.uk/bus or call RNIB's campaigns hotline on 020 7391 2123. 

-END- 

Notes to Editor: 
For more information or to attend the event contact Rachel Cafferty, RNIB Public Relations Officer, on 020 7391 2043 or rachel.cafferty at rnib.org.uk 

On 19 July, bus drivers from First Bus, along with local blind and partially sighted people, will attend the event at the First Bus Depot, Dividy Road, Adderley Green, ST3 5YY from 11am. 

Between June and September 2012 RNIB conducted a survey to find out the views of blind and partially sighted bus users. In total there were 360 responses to the survey. The results showed: 

  a.. 9 in 10 people with sight loss cannot see an approaching bus in time to hail it 
  b.. 8 in 10 people with sight loss say they miss the bus they want 
  c.. 6 in 10 people said buses which stopped away from the official bus stop caused them to often miss their bus or step off the bus into hazards such as bins and lampposts 
  d.. Over half of respondents said they had difficulty obtaining spoken information from the driver such as the bus number and destination. 
Contact: pressoffice at rnib.org.uk 

Last updated: 24 July 2013

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