Bath bus drivers will be swapping places with blind and partially sighted people this weekend as they take part in an RNIB ‘Swap with Me’ event which is being held at Bath Spa University.
The event – part of a series being jointly by First West of England and RNIB – is designed to build awareness and understanding between drivers and bus users.
The intention is to allow drivers and blind and partially sighted customers to step into others’ shoes for a moment to understand the challenges that each other face on a day to day basis.
Blind and partially sighted customers can, amongst other things, experience difficulties boarding buses – from knowing what service number an approaching bus is, to getting on board and finding a seat – without being able to clearly see the seats or any obstructions that may be on the floor of the bus.
For drivers the ability to hear customers as they talk to them through the protective screens can be challenging, making it harder for them to assist people.
Through the Swap With Me sessions though these issues – and more – are explored though, with drivers given the opportunity to try to board buses wearing SIM specs (which simulate different forms of sight loss) and blind and partially sighted customers able to sit in the driver’s seat to understand what it is possible to hear through the screen above the general chatter of a bus full of people.
By raising mutual awareness of these issues, and allowing others to walk the walk in someone else’s shoes, it is hoped issues can be resolved and journey experiences improved for the benefit of everyone.
First has been running a number of Swap with Me sessions with RNIB over the past year, although this is the first to be held in Bath. On the back of RNIB’s successful ‘Stop for Me, Speak to Me’ campaign, First has also signed the RNIB’s Bus Charter, which commits it to further improving services for blind and partially sighted people and ensuring that services are as accessible as possible.
The RNIB Bus Charter comprises of 13 pledges, including ensuring that drivers assist blind and partially sighted customers by stopping for them, and explaining what service they are, and what the destination is, while also helping them buy tickets and find their seats if they need assistance in those areas.
Other elements of the charter include making sure that bus information is accessible for people, while also making sure sight loss awareness is built into driver training modules.
Talking about all the work being done to improve the travel experience for blind and partially sighted customers, Natacha Tagholm, Regional Customer Services Manager, First West of England, said: “Collectively the signing of the RNIB charter and the delivery of Swap with Me events is leading to a massive step change in service delivery for blind and partially sighted people.
“The Swap with Me sessions are incredibly powerful – the ability to walk in another person’s shoes to understand the challenges they face cannot be underestimated.
“Where we’ve delivered these sessions before we find our drivers take a lot away from the experience, as do those blind and partially sighted people involved.
“For the latter, the experience of sitting in the driver’s seat, trying to hear someone speak through the protective screen above the noise of the bus’ engine and the passengers on board the vehicle, is enlightening.
Fazilet Hadi, Director RNIB Engagement, said: “Local bus travel is a lifeline, providing an important means of transport and independence for blind and partially sighted people. We are delighted that First West of England has made the commitment to sign up to our bus charter.”
