GUIDE DOGS' REPORT ENTITLED FORGOTTEN PASSENGERS

That this House notes Guide Dogs' recent report entitled Forgotten Passengers; acknowledges that many blind and partially sighted people have missed their stop when travelling by bus despite asking the driver to notify them, deterring them from using buses and potentially reducing their independence and mobility; recognises that the introduction of audio-visual information systems announcing next stop and final destination would improve the customer experience of bus travel for all passengers; welcomes those operators that have already introduced such systems, but recognises the need for national consistency in accessible public transport; and calls for the Government to amend the public service vehicle accessibility regulations to introduce audio-visual announcements on all new buses.