RNIB research shows barriers to bus services for visually impaired

New research from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has revealed ongoing challenges faced by blind and partially sighted people when using UK bus services. 

A survey of 1,200 with sight loss found: 56% said they’d like to go out more than they do, 80% found unfamiliar bus journeys difficult, just 46% could make all the journeys by bus they needed to and 83% said access to bus travel was ‘very important’. 

Common barriers included street clutter, inadequate signage, restrictive timetables and a lack of driver awareness.  

Erik Matthies, RNIB’s policy lead for travel and transport, said: ‘Now’s the time for local authorities and bus operators to act on the experiences and blind and partially sighted people so people, like me, with sight loss can make the journeys they want and need to.’