Neil Parish MP supports Guide Dogs’ Talking Buses campaign

Neil Parish MP showed his support for a campaign led by the charity Guide Dogs to make travelling by bus easier for people with sight loss.

The MP for Tiverton and Honiton went to a reception at the Houses of Parliament on 2 July in support of Guide Dogs’ campaign to make sure all new buses have audio visual (AV) next stop announcements, which are vital for blind and partially sighted bus travellers.

The reception, which was addressed by Bus Minister Baroness Kramer, highlighted how announcements enable blind and partially sighted people to understand their location, and prevent them from missing their stops.

AV systems are only fitted to around one fifth of the bus fleet nationally, with the overwhelming majority of these buses operating in London.

Guide Dogs is calling for the Government to require all new buses be fitted with AV, as currently bus operators are under no obligation to include this technology when upgrading their fleet.

Neil Parish, who is also Chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare, said: “Public transport is a vital lifeline for people with sight loss but the lack audio information on which stop is next can make it almost impossible to use. This is why I support the Guide Dogs’ campaign to ensure all new buses have audio visual next stop announcements. This is a barrier we must remove so that blind and partially sighted people are able to use the bus.”

James White, Guide Dog’s Campaigns Manager, said: “Buses are a lifeline for people who are blind or partially sighted, and we welcome the support of Neil Parish MP for people with sight loss to be able to travel safely and independently.”

“Without AV, bus travel for people with sight loss can be especially difficult, stressful, and dangerous when stops are missed and they end up in an unfamiliar area.

“Safe and accessible bus services give people with sight loss much greater freedom to work, socialise and participate in the community.”