A GROUP of bus drivers have found out first-hand the obstacles faced by blind people using public transport.
The event was part of the Royal National Institute of Blind People's (RNIB) campaign calling on bus operators to remember one simple principle: "Stop for me, speak to me".
Bus drivers from East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) and Stagecoach, along with local blind and partially sighted people, attended the event at Hull's Paragon Interchange yesterday.
It was a joint event between RNIB, Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind (Herib), VisAbility, Hull City Council, East Yorkshire Motor Services and Stagecoach.
Drivers, wearing goggles to replicate sight problems, took part in tasks such as trying to board a bus and paying for a ticket.
Tracey Dearing, RNIB regional campaigns officer for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "The event went really well.
"It gave partially sighted and blind people the chance to speak to bus drivers in a positive way about the problems they face.
"It was a way of everyone learning from each other.
"But partially sighted people also got to have a go in the cab of the bus and find out what it's like to be a driver.
"They can then feedback their experiences to other blind and partially sighted people.
"By working together, we hope to provide a better service."
East Yorkshire Motor Services (EYMS) bus driver Keith Kirk felt the exercise was worth while.
He said: "It's interesting to be on the other side of the fence.
"It is good to be able to feel what it's like in their shoes.
"Wearing the goggles gave me a sense of what it might be like.
"I always try to give disabled and partially-sighted people time but this helps even more."
Enid Thompson, of Beverley Road, who is partially sighted, also took part in the event.
She said: "Sitting in the cab, I didn't realise how much the drivers have to contend with.
"It has been amazing to get a sense of what they do. They have a lot to think about."
Jason Adams, of Beverley Road, is also partially sighted.
He said: "I imagine the driving side of things is straight forward.
"But dealing with customers is often the difficult thing for them.
"We have now seen the other side of the coin and have a better understanding of what drivers have to deal with."
Training manager at Stagecoach Wayne Lively feels there is much that can be taken from the day,
He said: "I had a go with the glasses and we can appreciate the difficulties blind and partially sighted customers have.
"I will be looking at some of the issues raised and see if we can adapt of training to address them.
"We already incorporate disability into our training but perhaps we can introduce a more practical element."
If you think blind or partially sighted people should not be left behind at bus stops, visit www. rnib.org.uk/bus or call RNIB's campaign hotline on 0207 3912123.
