Stagecoach East Midlands joined hundreds of venues and companies across the UK to showcase their accessibility as part of Disabled Access Day.
Stagecoach East Midlands offered people with disabilities the opportunity to take part in a ‘Try a Bus Day’.
Customers were able to visit a bus in the Lincoln Cornhill Quarter, and meet with staff to share any ideas or concerns about bus travel with Stagecoach.
There was also an opportunity to learn about the efforts made by the company to make access to services easier and the chance to try to use a bus in an atmosphere free from pressure or time constraints.
Training instructor Richard Hill was on-hand to assist with mobility scooter assessments and permit applications. Eden Mobility, a mobility retailer, brought along scooters and wheelchairs to demonstrate how easy it can be to use the bus. The team were also joined by Alzheimer’s Society representatives who were there with information about the support they provide in the community.
MP Karl McCartney attended the event to encourage people to find out more and created plenty of twitter activity throughout the day.
Michelle Hargreaves, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, says: “We were delighted to host our Try a Bus day in Lincoln for people to drop by and learn about how Stagecoach can accommodate them.
“It was a great opportunity for our team to spend time in the community, learning from the people we serve whilst also educating and reassuring passengers about our services and what we can do to help those with disabilities.”
The third annual Disabled Access Day encouraged people with disabilities, their friends and families to visit somewhere new, whether that’s a coffee shop, cinema, museum, sports centre or anywhere else. Stagecoach East Midlands joined over 100 venues and companies that also took part.
Stagecoach East Midlands is helping people with disabilities by:
· Introducing the new ‘Stagecoach Bus’ smartphone app which provides customers with journey planning, next-stop information and live bus tracking, and enables people to buy and download bus tickets straight to their mobile phone.
· Providing Journey Assistance Cards for customers who need a bit more help when using the bus. The cards make it easier for customers to let bus drivers know what extra help is needed. www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/journey-assistance-cards
· Stagecoach East Midlands is constantly investing in updating the fleet of buses to improve access and space for people with disabilities in wheelchairs, disabled buggies and certain approved mobility scooters. 100% of Stagecoach East Midlands local service buses are now low floor.
· Stagecoach’s UK Bus is committed to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) charter that promises to deliver a better service to customers with sight loss. The charter pledges to help improve the accessibility of local bus services as well as raising awareness among employees of the need to understand the practical issues faced by blind and partially sighted customers. www.stagecoachbus.com/news/national/2015/july/stagecoach-commits-to-improving-accessible-travel-through-new-rnib-charter
· All customer information is available in alternative formats, including large print and audio.
· Detailed guidance about accessing Stagecoach services with a wheelchair, disabled buggy or approved mobility scooter is available by telephone from the disability helpline on 01522 580515.
· Free travel may be available through a local authority concessionary pass. To find out more go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/32818.article.
Stagecoach works with disabled children’s charity Whizz-Kidz and is a member of the Accessible Travel Alliance – an industry leading group made up of forward-thinking travel operators. The aim of the Alliance is to make a real and lasting difference to disabled people’s experience of travel.
