Improving the accessibility of our services
A significant proportion of our passengers rely on our transport services. It is therefore important that our services provide adequate access to key facilities such as schools and health care and are accessible to people with special needs.
We work closely with Health Care Trusts and the National Health Service in many parts of the country looking at transport links for both employees and patients. For example, in Glasgow we are working with the National Health Service to ensure service development caters for both current and future transport needs.
In January 2008 we established a new service from Shipley to Bradford Royal Infirmary. There is currently public consultation on the possibility of developing a similar service from Bingley.
Supporting customers with special needs
We are also very aware that a number of our customers have special needs and may relay on public transport. We continually seek to improve our services to better meet their requirements.
We are involved with disability groups in many areas and in partnership with them we have run a number of disabled access days. These provide an opportunity for people with special needs to try out public transport in a relaxed environment. It also allows us to learn from their experience and identify how we can improve our services to meet their needs.
This year we enhanced employee training in this area. A new training package incorporating ramp training has been introduced. This is being delivered to all staff as part of a rolling programme and forms part of our induction training.
A UK Bus division Diversity Action Group has been established. This Group provides a focus for ensuring the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act are met. Among other issues they have looked at scooter access on buses, ensuring accessibility of all customer information and the training and development needs of employees.