West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, has been trying to understand the problems faced by sight limited users of public transport, by taking part in a "Blindfold Bus Challenge”.
Mr George met Neil Howe from Guide Dogs for the Blind Association at Penzance bus station and undertook a short bus journey to Newlyn, wearing a blindfold, and spoke to guide dog owners Colin Barnett and Sylvia Curnow, who were able to tell him about their experiences of travelling by bus.
Mr George said: “Wearing the blindfold opened my eyes to the challenges which blind people face when using public transport.
“Having audio services on local buses wouldn’t just benefit blind people but it would help visitors and those who have conditions which cause disorientation.
Many urban areas already have audio visual aids on all public transport but in areas like ours, with older and outdated buses, there is very limited service. We should be modernising our services very soon to give people with sight problems the chance to get out and about like the rest of us.”
Mr George also spoke to Natacha Tagholm from First Bus who explained the steps First Bus are taking to train their drivers in awareness of the needs of passengers with a visual impairment.
She was also able to show him the “Safe Journey” card which First Bus has been introduced. Disabled passengers are able to show this card to alert drivers to their particular needs.
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