McGills has signed up to a charter from the Royal National Institution of Blind People (RNIB) to meet the needs of visually impaired passengers.
Vehicles may be pulling up to stops at a reduced speed so that the route number and bus signage are more visible, waiting until impaired passengers have found a seat or simply announcing when they have arrived at their destination.
The Greenock-based operator has over 400 buses servicing 110 routes in the Greater Glasgow area.
At an event on Friday 3, drivers were encouraged to wear ‘sim specs’ that simulate different eye conditions. This gave them a better understanding of what difficulties partially sighted passengers can face when travelling by bus.
Ralph Roberts, Managing Director of McGills Buses, said: “We are delighted to sign up to the RNIB Bus Charter. We are committed to making inclusive travel a reality at McGill’s. The ‘sim specs’ have been an excellent way to raise awareness amongst our drivers about the real challenges that our partially-sighted customers face, and we will be continuing this positive work through our in-house training school programme.”
James Adams, Deputy Director of RNIB Scotland, said: “It’s great news that Scotland’s largest independent bus operator has embraced our campaign. Bus travel can be a life-line for blind and partially sighted people, who rely on buses more than most because they are unable to drive and taxis are too expensive for everyday journeys. But many of our members say they sometimes have difficulty in using some services.
“We think if drivers are more aware of the problems people with sight loss face they will take that extra bit of time to ensure they can make their journey confidently.”
