BUSES in Swindon are among the first in the country to feature audio-visual technology to help blind and partially-sighted people use the service.

Around 75 per cent of the buses on the Thamesdown Transport routes have an AV system which helps passengers to identify their location.

Alan Fletcher, a guide dog owner living in Swindon, said: “AV gives visually impaired people the opportunity to alight the bus at the stop they need rather than rely on the goodwill of the driver and fellow passengers, or miss their stop altogether.

“The introduction of talking buses certainly makes travelling on the buses a positive experience in Swindon for visually- impaired people and guide dog owners.”

However, nationally, only 19 per cent of buses have the capability, prompting Guide Dogs charity to urge more services to take on AV technology as the system fails to support the 360,000 people who are visually impaired.

Buses play a vital role in enabling blind and partially sighted people to live more independent lives, and 25 per cent of passengers who are blind and partially sighted rely on the bus every day, according to a new survey from Guide Dogs.

But 65 per cent of those passengers have missed their stop in the last six months, travelling more than a mile further than their planned journey in a six-month period.

Richard Leaman, CEO of Guide Dogs, said: “People with sight loss rely on buses to get out and about and live life on their own terms.

“But without audio announcements to give them the information they need, they can lose confidence and feel forced to stay at home.

“We’re urging the Government to make AV installation a priority on UK buses and with the support of the public we are hoping our MPs and local bus companies act to address this issue.”

This lack of AV technology is not just affecting the blind and partially sighted community, and 84 per cent of the general public believe AV will improve their own experience on buses.

It will also assist other groups to gain independence such as older people, people with hearing disabilities, people with learning disabilities and people unfamiliar with a new bus route.

Sarah Champion, a member of the Parliamentary Transport Select Committee, said: “I believe everyone has the right to fair access to the UK’s transport system and this should be inclusive of the bus network.

“The installation of AV in buses in London has changed people’s daily lives and we believe that the rest of the UK’s bus network should be accessible to all.”