News Release (18 December 2002):
Announcing better bus information
The Department for Transport today published a summary of a successful trial of audible and visual announcements on a scheduled bus route between Leeds and Wakefield.
`Announce' provides an audible and visual announcement, which informs bus passengers of the next destination and when the bus is stopping. Customers waiting to board are told which bus service has arrived at the stop and its direction of travel. This makes bus travel information easier for hearing and visually impaired people.
In receiving the report of the trial, Jane Wilmot OBE, DPTAC Chair said:
"DPTAC is delighted by the success of the trial which will make bus travel more accessible for disabled people, increasing opportunities for independent travel.
It also demonstrates how partnership working on improvements for disabled people can secure improvements for everyone, including the operators and drivers who have one less task to worry about. This is a win-win concept that should be widely adopted."
MORI research commissioned by DPTAC showed that over half of disabled people users do not feel well informed during journeys on public transport. The trial of the Announce system demonstrated that improved bus passenger information was welcomed by all passengers while achieving greater accessibility for disabled people.
DPTAC welcomes and supports the widespread introduction of the concept and will be encouraging the Government to require audible and visual announcements on new buses.
Notes to editors:
1. "The Announce System: Making Bus Travel Accessible for All" is available from the Department for Transport web site at www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/buses/pubs/research/as/.
2. The trial was conducted by DfT in partnership with DPTAC, Arriva Wakefield, Metro, Hanover Systems and Wayfarer Transit Systems.
3. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was set up under the Transport Act of 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of all disabled people. It has a maximum of 20 members (of whom at least half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport interests. Members are appointed by Ministers and are unpaid, apart from the reimbursement of expenses.
4. MORI's research report is available on the DPTAC web site at www.dptac.gov.uk/research/apt/index.htm or from the Secretariat.
5. For further information on DPTAC, contact the Secretary, Tim Pope on 020 7944 8012, (textphone 020 7944 3277), fax 020 7944 6998 or email dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
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