Bus Driver Swap Sessions Hit 50
Image of blind and partially sighted passengers lining up outside a first bus in Scotland, holding 50 mile per hour speed limit signs to celebrate the 50th "swap with me" session.
Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland are marking their 50th "Swap with Me" event with trainee bus drivers across Scotland this week. The hands-on sessions help drivers better understand the experiences of blind and partially sighted passengers.
The sessions involve RNIB Scotland volunteers explaining the challenges they face when travelling on public transport and how the driver’s actions can help make bus travel as accessible as possible for all users. The charity began the sessions in 2023 and have since engaged over 500 drivers from across Lothian Buses, First Bus, and McGill’s.
At the 50th session, which was marked with First Bus in Aberdeen today, Friday 11 October, drivers had the opportunity to wear sim-specs; glasses that simulate different eye conditions to experience first-hand, the barriers that blind and partially sighted passengers face when trying to hail a bus, buy a ticket and board.
The drivers discussed their role and the part they play in making the journey as accessible as possible, while those with sight loss had a chance to sit in the cab to get a better sense of what the job entails from the driver's perspective.
Amanda Foster, an RNIB Scotland supporter who has taken part in previous ‘Swap-With-Me' events said:
“I particularly struggle knowing what type of bus I’m getting on, and often I’m not told where to scan my pass. It can also be tricky to know when to get off at the right stop without being told."
"It’s good to speak to drivers about exactly what barriers we face, and for the drivers to wear the sim-specs so they can have an idea what it’s like to have a visual impairment.”
Georgea Strachan, an RNIB Scotland supporter who took part in a previous event added:
"I really liked how conversational and informal it was, because it allowed the drivers to talk honestly about their own perspectives, as well as us talking about things we find difficult when taking the bus."
"It was very isolating sitting the driver’s cabin, you’re completely sealed in – there's only a small hole for you to help someone guide their hand towards the card machine, so I can see why it might be awkward for drivers."
"I hope that the drivers understand that blindness isn’t black and white, it is a spectrum. I don’t want them to be scared of all this information we’ve given them - just to use it in their training, and going forward to be more aware, and to help people in the future and keep them safe.”
There are around 183,000 people in Scotland living with significant sight loss.