Funding for operators to make buses more accessible

It is estimated that installing each bus with the new technology will cost between £1,400 and £1,500

A multimillion-pound investment to make transport more accessible has been given to small bus operators.

The £4.65m funding will help operators install technology that provides live audio and visual updates, so passengers with sight and hearing impairments can stay informed throughout their route.

Hexham MP and roads minister Guy Opperman visited Blyth on Monday to launch the scheme.

Philip Ward, from the Guide Dogs charity, said he thought the technology would be "fantastic".

The investment comes after concerns that small companies would not be able to comply with new government regulations before the October 2026 deadline.

The new rules require all bus operators across England to provide high quality, accessible announcements across their networks, to ensure disabled people are not “left in the dark” when it comes to using public transport.

The installation of the new technology costs between £1,400 and £1,500 for each vehicle, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Opperman said the government wanted buses to be accessible to everyone "in a considerate way", adding that "smaller operators" would "really benefit" from the money.

Technical difficulties

The minister rode a bus to demonstrate the new technology, along with campaigners from Guide Dogs UK.

However, the technology on the first bus failed to work, meaning the group had to board a second vehicle.

Despite the technical difficulties, the charity welcomed the funding.

Mr Ward, a family support worker at Guide Dogs and who has a visual impairment, attended the launch.

Mr Ward said groups had been campaigning for this change "for 10 years".

He added: "I think it is going to be fantastic. It’s really good to have that confidence when you’re getting on a bus that you know when to get off, rather than having to rely on the driver or a member of the public."