Fleming Way event helps banish travel barriers for local people with learning disabilities

Swindon’s Bus Company joined Swindon Borough Council and other transport providers this week, in a bid to make its bus services across the town even more accessible for those with disabilities.

We took one of our vehicles to a special event at the Fleming Way transport hub, and hosted two sessions designed to make boarding buses a simple and straightforward process for people with learning disabilities.

Representatives from Swindon’s Bus Company were also on-hand to receive feedback about its services from those attending the event - which was organised by Swindon Borough Council and Get Swindon Moving members - along with the Learning Disability Partnership and Swindon Advocacy Movement (SAM). 

“Buses, and other public transport, are at the heart of how many of us live our lives - helping us get to work, school or college, healthcare commitments, and social events,” said Swindon’s Bus Company general manager, Andrew Sherrington. 

“And the Fleming Way transport hub is one of the region’s major transport hubs - so it was the perfect location for helping those with learning disabilities or autism to be able to travel as confidently as other passengers. 

“We want public transport to be truly inclusive. At present, there are people with disabilities - some of which we can’t necessarily see - who don’t feel confident, and we are pleased to be part of any initiative that aims to change that. 

“Our team found the event incredibly useful, in terms of understanding the needs and concerns of those attending. We hope bringing the bus along also gave people the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the bus boarding process - and that they will be travelling with us across Swindon very soon.”

Bryony Chetwode, Swindon Borough Council’s public transport strategy officer, said: “Being given a chance to get on board a bus among other first time or returning users can be a game changing event in many lives. These sessions provide an opportunity for our diverse community to investigate how individual needs can be met alongside those who are responsible for the transport network. Bringing together the decision makers, operators, and community allows information to flows in all directions.  As well as supporting independence, these sessions give operators, trainers, and SBC officers insights which enable improvements to everyone’s passenger experience. We always have great fun at the same time as skills building.”

Lily O’Brien, from the Learning Disability Partnership and an Expert By Experience, added: “The bus boarding events help introduce those who may not be too confident using the buses to experience what a bus setting is in a relaxed, calm environment where they can ask questions. The Learning Disabilities Partnership is very thankful for the opportunity to do this event and previous ones via SBC's Get Swindon Moving, and without the lived experience of bus users, bus companies cannot develop further.”

You can find out about SAM here.