Public supports call for driver training

A survey by ComRes for the charity Guide Dogs showed that over 80% of people support the introduction of driver training, as it would improve the experience of disabled bus passengers. This comes as the Government reviews whether PSV drivers must have disability awareness training. The UK is currently exempt from a European regulation that makes disability awareness training mandatory for all bus and coach drivers. In March 2013 the Government promised to review the exemption in a year, now Guide Dogs is urging Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer, to act. The survey showed 87% of respondents backed the charity’s Talking Buses campaign, agreeing that audio announcements on buses would have a positive impact on the experience of disabled passengers. Other measures supported include the return of onboard conductors (81%), more buses in rural areas (85%) and stricter enforcement of anti-social behaviour rules (85%)

Campaigns Manager at Guide Dogs, James White, said, ‘We don’t want Britain to fall behind the rest of Europe on this issue. People with disabilities rely heavily on public transport and driver training is key to ensuring bus travel is accessible to all passengers. The sector has had a year to show they will improve driver disability awareness and while some bus companies provide training for their drivers, it is clear that many drivers are still not sufficiently trained.’

 

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