New rules are being introduced on buses across Britain from today. The new requirements have been described as a "massive boost for passenger independence" that will help people make journeys more easily.
The Department for Transport (DfT) now requires almost every local bus or coach service to provide audible announcements and visual displays identifying the route and direction, each upcoming stop, and the beginning of any diversions. The Government has provided £4.65 million in funding for the smallest bus and coach companies, and the DfT says the changes will be implemented gradually, with almost all vehicles required to comply by October 2026.
According to the DfT, there is "patchy provision" for audible announcements across the country, with only 30% of buses outside London providing this information. This puts disabled people wanting to travel by bus or coach at a major disadvantage.
