Passengers urged to report faulty bus announcements

Date posted: 27th October 2026

Sight Loss Councils, funded by the Thomas Pocklington Trust, areencouraging blind and partially sighted passengers to report missing or faulty audio-visual announcements,following the latest deadline for accessible information on local buses and coaches.

From 1 October 2026, requirements under thePublic Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations 2023extended to older vehicles. Most local bus and coach services across England, Scotland and Wales must now provide audible and visible journey information, although some exemptions and transitional arrangements remain.

To help passengers understand what to expect, and help operators meet their responsibilities, we have published guidance on the requirements and how to report problems.

The extension marks another milestone in the rollout of accessible bus information, following years of campaigning through the Sight Loss CouncilsMake Transport Accessiblecampaign.

A blonde woman is standing on the bottom deck of a bus. She is holding a pink pole attached to the seats in her right hand and holding her guide dog's harness in her left hand. Her guide dog is a yellow Labrador.

Supporting independent travel

For blind and partially sighted people, knowing which bus they have boarded and when their stop is approaching is essential for travelling independently and with confidence.

Without reliable announcements, passengers can miss their stop or have to rely on the driver or other passengers for information. This can make journeys more stressful, particularly when travelling somewhere unfamiliar.

Accessible information helps people make journeys independently, whether they are travelling to work, attending appointments, or meeting friends and family.

A head and shoulders image of Mike, who has short hair and is wearing a black shirt with a collar.Mike, Merseyside Sight Loss Council member, said:

“Clear audio-visual announcements enable blind and partially sighted people to travel in a more relaxed and stress-free way, especially when using unfamiliar routes.

“If announcements are not working properly, or are missing altogether, you once again become dependent on other people for information.

“Drivers can occasionally forget to alert you when your stop is approaching, which can make travelling independently much more difficult.”

A head and shoulder picture of Iain Mitchell, who is wearing a white shirt and a patterned tie, and looking straight at the cameraIain Mitchell, Senior Engagement Manager, North England, said:

“Audio-visual announcements are essential for many blind and partially sighted passengers, providing the information needed to travel independently and with confidence.

“With the latest regulations now in force, operators have a responsibility to ensure announcements are available and working correctly. Accessible information helps make bus travel more inclusive and accessible for everyone.”

What should operators be doing?

Operators must provide information in both audible and visible formats, including:

  • route and destination information
  • upcoming stops
  • diversions
  • when a service is terminating

Announcements should be clear and audible, while displays should be easy to read. Operators must ensure equipment is used properly and take prompt action to address faults. Providing information through a smartphone app alone does not meet the requirements.

Our Bus AV Compliance Guidance explains the deadlines and requirements, including arrangements for vehicles with existing systems.

Help improve bus journeys

If announcements are missing, too quiet or incorrect, or a display is not working, Sight Loss Councils encourage passengers to report the issue.

If you feel comfortable, let the driver know when it is safe to do so. You can then contact the bus operator, providing:

  • the route number
  • date and time of travel
  • where you boarded
  • details on the problem
  • how it affected your journey

If your complaint remains unresolved, you can contactBus Users UKfor journeys outside London, orLondon TravelWatchfor journeys within London.

Reporting faults helps operators identify recurring issues and ensures accessible information remains available for everyone who relies on it.

Find out more

Learn more about what operators are required to provide and how to raise concerns:

Bus AV Compliance Guidance

Bus AV Feedback Process

You can access both resources on Sight Loss Councils’Transport Resourcespage.

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