Published: Tuesday, 16th March, 2010 8:41am

Des gets on board with Talking Buses

Des Browne MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun pledged his support for Guide Dogs' Talking Buses campaign this week. At an event held in the House of Commons the charity launched the campaign to raise awareness of how Talking Buses (buses which clearly announce the next stop and final destination) make bus travel easier and safer for passengers.

Guide Dogs has found that many disabled and elderly people cannot use buses independently and with confidence for fear of being stranded at the wrong stop. They are often left feeling anxious and unsafe, and some give up using the bus altogether.

Des Browne said: "I use buses and trains a lot. The buses and the Tube in London have this facility. Although I am sighted, I find this facility useful as I move around a city I do not know well. In addition, on West Coast or East Coast main line trains, these announcements are very important. I am embarrassed that I have never seen the same facility in Scotland, although the driver of the Glasgow Airport Bus always clearly announces all stops. I am disappointed that no Liberal Democrat, SNP or Conservative MSP supported the Regulation of Bus Services Bill in Holyrood. Had it been passed it would have given local authorities more powers to say where and how buses are ran. I fully support the Talking Buses campaign and call on the local SPT Representative, SNP councillor Bobby McDill to back this issue in East Ayrshire."

The charity is calling for all buses in the UK to have audible as well as visible announcements on-board, similar to those on trains. It is urging the government to make it compulsory for audio-visual (AV) information systems to be installed on all new buses and coaches. It is also encouraging councils and bus operators to look at providing systems on existing vehicles to improve the accessibility and quality of services for local people.

In a recent YouGov survey, 66 per cent of respondents said they thought it would make bus travel easier if there were on-board announcements about where the bus is going and what stop is coming up.

David Cowdrey, Guide Dogs' campaign manager, says: "A lack of information undermines the independence and safety of vulnerable people who rely on buses to get around. Blind and partially-sighted people, for example, cannot see where they are, while wheelchair users often end up placed facing backwards. These people risk ending up at the wrong stop.

"As well as disabled people, Talking Buses improve travel for all passengers - including visitors to the area - hopefully encouraging more to leave their cars at home. And in an emergency, an AV announcement system enables the driver to warn passengers."

Guide Dogs' Talking Buses campaign has the support of 24 national disability organisations.

People can find out more about Guide Dogs' 'Talking Buses' campaign, and lend their own voices, by visiting www.guidedogs.org.uk/talkingbuses.