Brighton & Hove Buses recently celebrated a decade of collaboration with the charity Guide Dogs, marking a significant milestone in making public transport more accessible for passengers with sight loss. The celebration took place in Brighton, where teams from Brighton & Hove Buses, Metrobus, and Guide Dogs gathered with local guide dog owner Alison Evans MBE and her guide dog, Matty.

Since 2014, over 2,000 employees at Brighton & Hove Buses have completed sighted guide training, a crucial part of their onboarding process. This training equips staff with the skills and confidence to safely guide passengers with sight loss, ensuring that all passengers feel supported and secure. As a result, Brighton & Hove Buses has become a beacon of accessibility, with more bus journeys per capita in the city than anywhere else in the UK outside of London.

The partnership has also led to significant improvements in bus design, incorporating feedback from the charity and local people with sight loss. Hearing loop systems and audio-visual announcements are now standard across the fleet, aligning with upcoming legislation requiring visual analysis on all UK buses by 2026.

Moreover, the collaboration has seen the co-design of the award-winning Helping Hand card, enabling passengers with sight loss and other invisible disabilities to discreetly request assistance.

At Sawyer & Co, we understand the importance of community initiatives and accessibility. As your local estate and letting agent, we’re here to support you in finding a home that meets your needs in this vibrant and inclusive community.

For more information on sighted guide training, visit Guide Dogs’ website. Here’s to another decade of progress and inclusivity!

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