Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust Join Forces to Make Bus Travel More Accessible

Date posted: 13th February 2026

Guide Dogs and Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) have joined together to provide free vision impairment awareness training for bus and coach drivers, helping to make bus travel more inclusive and accessible for passengers who are blind and partially sighted.

From February, Guide Dogs will support the delivery of the training originally developed by TPT and its volunteer-led Sight Loss Councils. The programme aims to equip bus drivers and operators across the UK with the skills, tools, and confidence to better support passengers with sight loss.

Alison, a Sight Loss Council volunteer, shared her experience of travelling by bus:

“As I can’t see the bus coming, I start to feel anxious as to whether it’s going to see me and stop for me, because what I don’t want to be is late for work. It really helps when the driver sees me and stops. I don’t put out my hand because I can’t see the bus coming.

“Letting me know the bus number and destination increases my confidence when travelling, as I know I’m on the right bus, and I’m not going to be late for work. And the driver really helped me when they offered to scan my bus pass, as I’m never quite sure where the machine is, as they’re in different places on different buses.

“Having a driver offering to give this support makes things so much easier and quicker and less stressful for me.”

Created in partnership with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), and the Department for Transport (DfT), the training was built alongside people with lived experience of sight loss. The resources offer real-life insights into the challenges passengers may face, practical guidance on clear communication, and steps on how to confidently guide someone who is blind or partially sighted when needed.

The materials have also been supported by Brighton & Hove Buses and Bus Users UK, to ensure the guidance is relevant and effective for drivers.

Carlie Haigh, Sighted Guide Services Manager at Guide Dogs, said:

“We know that public bus services are one of the most affordable and used local public transport services by people with a vision impairment, enabling many to get out and about independently. Having drivers with the right skills to support passengers can make a huge difference. Working together with TPT, we will be able to provide many more bus drivers with the tools and knowledge to ensure everyone can travel with greater confidence.”

Jen Sweeney, Corporate Engagement Manager at TPT, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Guide Dogs as a partner. Their expertise will help us extend our reach to even more bus operators, equipping drivers with the confidence to better support blind and partially sighted passengers – championing truly accessible travel for all.”

The training resources are free for all bus drivers to access through the DVSA’s Driving for Better Business site. They can also be viewed on TPT’s website Bus and Coach Driver Vision Awareness Training – Thomas Pocklington Trust. Bus and coach operators can register their interest or request more information by contacting  jen.sweeney@pocklington.org.uk).