Catch the Bus Month 2024 round-up
1 week ago
September saw another successful Catch the Bus Month, this time with the aim to get everyone onboard and champion accessible travel. The initiative led by Bus Users UK involved a nationwide coming together of bus operators and stakeholders to learn from lived experiences of passengers.
At the forefront of this month-long initiative was research on accessible travel by Bus Users UK. The report from the organisation on the experiences of disabled bus passengers 'Why Are We Waiting? was published at the beginning of Catch the Bus Month. Key findings demonstrated that bus design, information, bus drivers and other passengers play an important role in offering independence to those travelling with disabilities.
Metrobus have an ongoing commitment to accessibility, information on which can be found here.
To read 'Why Are We Waiting?' in full, click here.
In order to further learn from lived experience of passengers, and to hear feedback from the local community on bus travel and accessibility, Metrobus attended a Catch the Bus Month event at Queens Square. The Metrobus team were joined by representatives from Bus Users UK, Surrey County Council and West Sussex County Council Transport teams, as well disability and accessibility groups Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, Disability Rights UK, and Sight Loss Councils of Thomas Pocklington Trust.
During Catch the Bus Month, Metrobus sister company Brighton & Hove shared the story of Shirley, a member of the local community with dementia, who loves travelling on the bus. The short film, 'Shirley's Journey' explored how Brighton and Hove Buses support Shirley and others with Dementia through staff training and accessible onboard facilities.
The end of Catch the Bus Month was marked by Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust's launch of new approved bus driver training materials. The training materials for bus and coach drivers have been developed and co-created with Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, with BSP (blind partially sighted) volunteers using their lived experience of bus travel. Find out more here.