RNIB demonstrates dangers of floating bus stops ahead of key vote
Image of RNIB Public Affairs Officer Rhys Felton and the Rt. Hon the Earl Howe discussing the dangers of floating bus stops at parliamentary event.
As the Bus Services (No.2) Bill progresses through the House of Lords, RNIB invited Peers to experience the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people when simply trying to catch the bus.
On Tuesday 18 March, RNIB welcomed policymakers from a spectrum of political parties to gain insights from blind and partially sighted people about the challenges posed by inaccessibly designed bus stops. In particular, Peers were briefed on the serious safety risks posed to pedestrians and cyclists by “floating bus stops” – where passengers must cross a cycle lane to board and alight the bus.
To bring these dangers to life, RNIB assembled its own replica floating bus stop in the heart of Parliament. Equipped with SimSpecs replicating a range of eye conditions, headphones capturing street noise and POV video footage of a floating bus stop crossing point, this interactive exhibit allowed Peers to immerse themselves momentarily in the experience of blind and partially sighted bus users. Without exception, the lawmakers expressed their shock at the sense of vulnerability and anxiety caused by this inaccessible design.
All aboard for accessible travel
This event arrived at an important moment for the accessibility of bus travel. Through the Bus Services (No.2) Bill, the Government is seeking to enable the Secretary of State for Transport to provide guidance specifying accessibility and safety standards for the design of bus stations and stops.
However, concerned that the wording of this Bill is insufficient to deliver the changes needed, RNIB has been working alongside Lord Holmes of Richmond to bring amendments to the Bill.
These amendments would empower the Secretary of State to provide stronger guidance and standards that would yield more consistently accessible infrastructure. In effect, these changes would help halt the construction of inaccessible floating bus stops according to the fundamental principle that passengers must be able to access the bus directly from the pavement, without needing to cross a live cycle lane.
Next stop: Report Stage
Addressing parliamentarians at the RNIB’s ‘Let us board’ event, Lord Holmes rallied his colleagues to seize the opportunity that these amendments present:
‘This is about [...] everybody having an equal opportunity to use public transport, which is supposed to be transport for the public - the clue is in the name!’
Peers will now debate amendments when the Bill returns to Parliament on Wednesday 26 March for Report Stage. RNIB continues to brief Peers ahead of the vote and encourage as many as possible to back Lord Holmes’ amendments.