Reading Buses Enhances Accessibility for All

Reading Buses' CEO Robert Williams set out what the company does to help people with physical and hidden disabilities at a meeting of Reading Borough Council's access and disabilities working group.

He said: "We have screens, we have audio announcements, and that has been the case throughout our fleet for a few years now."

"We have our printed information, which is also important, we spend time and energy keeping it up to date."

"Other bus companies have done away with printed information, but it's still important for a wide variety of reasons. It helps with wider accessibility."

The fleet has had lower floors since 2008. Drivers help wheelchair users on and off with a manual ramp.

"London buses have electric ramps, but we find the manual ones are more helpful for customers."

Buses that carry more than 22 people must have at least one wheelchair space. Around half the fleet has two: one dedicated and one mixed-use. Those spaces have bells to alert the driver.

There are priority seats and, on double-deckers, passengers are encouraged to go upstairs; a screen shows how busy the top deck is.

"We don't charge for guide and assistance dogs."

"We're a people company rather than just a bus company. Having a customer focus is where we start our recruitment."

Reading Buses offers Safe Journey Cards so drivers know what help someone needs. Cards are available online, by contacting the company or from the Reading Buses shop in Broad Street Mall.

Mobility scooter users can use the bus after trial runs at the depot in Great Knollys Street to check suitability.

A resident said one bus stop has no seats or shelter. Williams replied: "We'd love to have seats, shelters and screens at every bus stop. We've prioritised that with the council. It's about choosing and prioritising."

Teresa Collias raised the crowded stop at the main entrance of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, especially at school times. "It seems to be a choc-a-bloc for the bus stop at the hospital, particularly during school times," she said. "Could there be an extra bus or something? You've got people who've got to be at hospital from 9am to about 5-6pm. It just got to a stage where it was difficult."

She also mentioned a man, an amputee in a wheelchair, who struggled to board. Williams said: "I'm happy to have a closer look at that."

The presentation was at the meeting on Thursday, September 24.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter