People who are blind or partially sighted, along with their families and friends, are invited to find out more about access and safety when travelling on buses in Bristol.

On Saturday 30th September, First West of England will host a 'Meet the Bus' event to give people who live with a visual impairment the chance to meet the team, learn more about different bus models and get a better understanding of the support that drivers can provide on-board.

Attendees will be able to experience boarding and moving around the different vehicles, and First staff, including drivers, trainers and depot managers, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the access requirements for passengers who have a visual impairment.

Amanda Eastaugh, Operations Director at First West of England, said: "Travelling on public transport can present challenges for those living with a disability, so it is important that we do as much as we can to make them feel safe and comfortable when using our buses.

"One way we can do this is by providing a safe space for them to explore our vehicles, and talk to the staff who may greet them on their day-to-day travelling. If there's anything we can do to improve our guidance on travelling with a visual impairment for both customers and drivers alike, come along to our 'Meet the Bus' day and let us know.

"If you have a visual impairment or know a friend or family member who does, we'd like to welcome you to our bus depot at Lawrence Hill on Saturday 30th September, where our staff will be able to take you around the buses and talk through any queries you may have."

This is just one of a number of events hosted by First West of England to help those with sight issues; recently the company took one of its buses to New College Worcester, which specialises in students who are blind or vision impaired (see image attached), and it also recently hosted the Sight Loss Council at Bristol Bus Station to understand more how its members use the facilities, and understand where the company might be able to make improvements (see image attached).

First West of England's 'Meet the Bus Day' is supported by Bristol Sight Loss Council, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the Royal National Institute of Blind People and The Thomas Pocklington Trust.

Alun Davies, Engagement Manager at The Thomas Pocklington Trust, said: "This is the third Meet The Bus event First Bus has organised. We very much welcome its continued commitment to making its fleet as accessible as possible to blind and partially sighted people. First Bus meet regularly with representatives from organisations working with people with a visual impairment and we have always found them very open and willing to listen and make changes where they can."

First's 'Meet the Bus' runs from 10.30am to 1pm at Lawrence Hill Depot, Easton Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0DZ, with parking available and bus services stopping nearby.

Important travel information if you wish to attend the 'Meet the Bus' event at First's Lawrence Hill depot: 

1. Alight on Croydon Street (west bound) if you are travelling from Kingswood, Hanham, Longwell Green, St George, Whitehall on services 6, 7, 42, 43, 44 or 45.

You will need to cross the signal crossing on Lawrence Hill, and from Lawrence Hill Road turn left into Croydon Street.

Travel approximately 100m along Croydon Street and cross the road to enter Bristol Ambulance Station, Office of the Traffic Commissioner and DVLA car park area. Please be mindful that ambulances might be leaving this area at high speed.

Follow the fence line on your left hand side approximately 140 metres to the entrance gate of Lawrence Hill depot, which will be directly in front of you, where a member of First Bus will greet you.  

1. Alight in Croydon Street (east bound) if you are travelling from the city centre or Old Market on services 6, 7, 42, 43, 44, 45.

From Lawrence Hill road turn left into Croydon Street. Travel approximately 100 metres along Croydon Street and cross the road to enter Bristol Ambulance Station, Office of the Traffic Commissioner and DVLA car park area. Please be mindful that ambulances might be leaving this area at high speed.

Follow the fence line on your left hand side approximately 140 metres to the entrance gate of Lawrence Hill depot, which will be directly in front of you, where a member of First Bus will greet you.