Talking Buses

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Audio Visual announcements on buses are essential to people with vision and hearing problems, tourists... lots of people.

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/supportus/campaigns/talkingbuses/

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Display screens stating current location yes yes yes please don't subject us to announcements

[Chris from Nailsea]

Display screens without audio announcements as well aren't of much use to blind people?

[inspector_blakey]

I've seen them on lots of buses in London and America - the audio announcements aren't unduly obtrusive (no listing every bus stop en route, keep your belongings with you, read the safety card, sit up straight and don't pick your nose etc etc), just briefly give you the route number and destination then announce stops shortly beforehand.

[anthony215]

I agree, that something like thsi would help my own father who is blind and regulary uses the bus.

Luckily he knows our local service very well but it is difficult if he is using a service he has never been on before, fair play most of the drivers are brilliant.

[thetrout]

Our 267 route from Frome to Bath has visual LED displays on board the bus on the majority of services, which is supposed to list where the bus is going and the major stop points on the route. Trouble is they scroll random characters and numbers which obviously is absolutely useless. I've only seen it working three or four times in the past 3 years, I suspect however it was the same bus, as it was of a type we don't get on that route very often!

I certainly wouldn't have an objection to having these and brief announcements such as "We are now approaching Bath Bus Station" etc! I've seen the display boards on quite a few of the buses First Group run, it just seems pointless to pay to have them fitted and then neglect them, but I guess in terms of First Group Buses, it comes down to needs and likes such:

We NEED a working bus to run a service.
We'd LIKE the LED Display to work, but if it doesn't we can't justify not running the bus for this reason.

[readytostart]

We NEED a working train to run a service.
We'd LIKE the seat reservation system to work, but if it doesn't we can't justify not running the bus for this reason.

Sounds a bit like a Voyager (excuse my artistic tweaking of thetrout's post)!!

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

What use are these audio visual displays to people who are both visually and hearing impaired?

[inspector_blakey]

Very little. But presumably they are very helpful to those who have either a vision or hearing impairment.