Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, who is a member of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC), has written to its Chief Executive Dr Jon Lamonte asking the Transport Executive to support two campaigns of the RNIB (the Royal National Institute for the Blind) to meet the needs of blind and partially-sighted passengers.
Cllr Sykes said: “On Thursday 8th October we marked World Sight Day, an annual occasion which provides cause to reflect on the needs of blind and partially-sighted people. Given their condition, most are reliant on public transport to get about and it is important that all of the services funded by Transport for Greater Manchester are responsive to their needs.”
The RNIB (the Royal National Institute for the Blind) has two ongoing campaigns in support of the rights of blind and partially-sighted passengers:
- “Stop for me, Speak to me” – which seeks a commitment from bus drivers to be aware of the presence of such passengers at bus stops, to actively stop for them and to engage them in conversation to ascertain their desired designation and provide pro-active assistance.
- “We’re on Board” – a 13-point charter that sets out the commitments they want bus operators to sign up to in order to improve the travel experience of blind and partially-sighted passengers.
Cllr Sykes has asked Dr. Lamonte to identify which bus operators in Greater Manchester have committed themselves to supporting the objectives of both campaigns; what TfGM is doing to encourage them to do so; and what otherwise is being done to champion the rights of blind and partially-sighted bus passengers.
Cllr Sykes added: “With Disability Month coming up in December, now is the time to review current operating arrangements to be sure that they follow best practice and the recommendations made by the RNIB.”
“I look forward to receiving Dr Lamonte’s response and to raising this issue with colleagues from local authorities across Greater Manchester at future meetings of the committee. I hope that we can make progress in making Greater Manchester a welcoming and inclusive destination for passengers who are blind or partially sighted”.
