Accessible Information Consultation: Our Response

The Bus Services Act 2017 includes provision for the introduction of regulations requiring  bus companies to equip their vehicles with systems to provide information to passengers on the route and destination of the vehicle as well as informing them of the name of each approaching bus stop in both an audible and visible format. Improving the accessibility of information will build on the obvious advantages of improving the physical accessibility of buses that has been achieved in recent years. It will make bus travel easier and therefore more attractive not just for people with sight or hearing difficulties but for passengers using an unfamiliar service or travelling to a new destination. 

Some bus operators provide this information after a fashion as passengers on the 555 might have noticed. Whilst Stagecoach's efforts are restricted to audio announcements at certain stops more comprehensive systems can be found locally in parts of Blackburn and Burnley and, of course, London.  They are also common in mainland Europe, as with these examples from Switzerland, where a second screen appears to be being used for advertising, presumably to help finance the system.

This display shows the next stop (top) the following two stops, with an indication of the time
taken to reach them (centre) and the  destination of the bus and arrival time. (bottom)
(Note the classic "Swiss Railway" clock at the bottom right!)

This screen shows the available connections from the next stop: note that the
second and third connections are reported running one minute late!

Whilst the proposals will bring undoubted benefits to all passengers, the government recognises that they will impose costs upon operators. It has therefore launched a consultation aimed at finding out whether what is proposed will be what passengers require and how and when it should be introduced so as to minimise costs, particularly to small bus companies.

The Bus Users' Group has responded to the consultation saying, basically, that we agree with the requirements to provide audible and visible information, but that care needs to be taken to minimise the impact on bus operators, especially smaller firms and community bus operations.

The proposals can be read via this link.

The consultation response was made using an online response form, which can be read via this link. It takes the form of answers to a number of set questions that are based on the information provided in the consultation document itself.

The consultation remains open until 16 September should you wish to submit an individual response.