Brighton & Hove’s Victoria appointed to Government disability role
Victoria Garcia MBE, Accessibility and Communities Manager for Brighton & Hove Buses, has been appointed as one of the Government’s Disability and Access Ambassador, representing the bus industry in the organisation.
Victoria will join other ambassadors to drive improvements in the accessibility and quality of services and facilities for disabled people, helping to ensure businesses are doing all they can to support disabled customers.
Victoria is recognised as a go-to professional for accessibility in the industry. Her work on improving bus services for disabled users saw her awarded an MBE in 2019, going on to then receive the UK Bus Awards ‘Impact on the Industry by an Individual’ award in 2021.
Under Victoria’s guidance Brighton & Hove Buses works with organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, Guide Dogs, Age UK, Speak Out and many more to make bus services accessible to everyone. This work saw Go-Ahead achieve the highest status in the UK Department for Transport’s Inclusive Transport Leaders scheme for bus and rail operations.
“We’re exceptionally proud of Victoria’s dedication to making bus services more accessible” – Martin Dean, Managing Director, UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead
Martin Dean, Managing Director, UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead, said: “We’re exceptionally proud of Victoria’s dedication to making bus services more accessible. Victoria worked with organisations, communities and customers to understand how we empower thousands of people to travel independently and with dignity. I’m delighted that with this appointment; she will be able to help even more people and drive real change across our industry.”
“By listening and learning and working in partnership we can all work to ensure a more accessible, inclusive service for all” – Victoria Garcia, MBE, Accessibility and Communities Manager for Brighton & Hove Buses
Victoria Garcia, MBE, Accessibility and Communities Manager for Brighton & Hove Buses, commented: “I’m delighted to become the Disability and Access Ambassador for Bus and Coach. Bus services help connect us all to work, education, healthcare and provide vital social interactions that can help combat isolation and loneliness. By listening and learning and working in partnership we can all work to ensure a more accessible, inclusive service for all.”