New bus driver training materials created by blind and partially sighted people added to CPT's Compliance Manual

September 25 2024

The Confederation of Passenger Transport has added training materials on ‘Vision Impairment Awareness for Bus Drivers’, to its members compliance manual.

The materials, published to mark the end of Catch the Bus Month, September 2024, were prepared by the UK charity, Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and its volunteer-led Sight Loss Councils (SLCs), working with Brighton and Hove Buses, Bus Users UK, The Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)and CPT.  

Blind and partially sighted volunteers created the training using first hand, lived experience of bus travel and working with Brighton and Hove Buses. The training is narrated by Paralympic Gold Medallist, Lora Fachie OBE, a former Sight Loss Council member.

Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager, Dave Smith, said,

“Buses are also an essential lifeline for blind and partially sighted people who cannot drive to get to work, see family and friends and socialise. Without accessible bus travel, many risk becoming isolated and cannot access the same life opportunities. Our goal is to make bus and coach travel accessible to all.

The training materials have the potential to impact all bus and coach drivers across the country through enabling them to deliver best practice customer service to blind or partially sighted (BPS) passengers.

DVSA has confirmed the content is suitable and has met conditions for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) training which bus and coach drivers undertake every five years.

Keith McNally, Operations Director for CPT said,  

“CPT welcomes the new training material, which will enhance the abilities of public service vehicle (PSV) drivers to identify, assist and support our sector’s customers. Bus and coach operators can now utilise this training, which will complement their investment in wider accessibility measures and should enable blind and partially sighted people to have greater confidence when travelling on their local bus services.”

The new resources is already available to CPT members via the CPT compliance manual. It will also be available via the DVSA from November 2024.

To learn more about this training programme visit www.sightlosscouncils.org.uk/Bus-Driver-Training

ENDS

 

Notes for editors

In this video clip Sight Loss Council volunteers explain why bus travel is so vital for blind and partially sighted people: https://youtu.be/EL_4GkMd1nc