Dublin Bus is committed to providing a service which is accessible to all and is efficient, safe and comfortable. To date, 88% of the Dublin Bus fleet is low floor wheelchair accessible and it is expected that the total fleet will be accessible by 2012. 70% of all Dublin Bus routes are accessible, while 40% of Dublin Bus stops have been installed with low floor accessible kerbing.

There are a number of accessible features on the bus which have been designed in consultation with groups representing people with disabilities. These include a retractable ramp at the entrance, kneeling suspension, improved grip bars, a colour contrasting interior, improved lighting, palm-activated bell pushes and wider gangways for customer comfort and a dedicated space for wheelchair users. This space can also be used for a parent with a buggy which can remain unfolded in the wheelchair space if it is free. However, wheelchair users have priority over other passengers for use of the wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely. If a wheelchair user wishes to board when there is an unfolded buggy in the wheelchair space, the driver will ask the passenger to fold the buggy and either put it in the luggage space or keep it by their side safely.

As part of its commitment to providing a service that is accessible to all, Dublin Bus launched its Travel Assistance Scheme in 2007. This scheme provides practical advice, to individuals with reduced mobility, sensory impairments and learning disabilities, on using Dublin Bus, DART and Luas services. With the help of a full-time Dublin Bus travel assistant, customers can travel with confidence. The Travel Assistant meets with each customer before designing a tailor made travel plan to suit his or her needs. They will collect the customer from their home and accompany them on their journey on public transport, which ultimately leads to their independent travel. Since its launch, user numbers of the scheme have doubled.

Dolores Quinn, Accessibility Officer Dublin Bus, explained “As a public transport provider, it is Dublin Bus’ responsibility to take into account the accessibility needs of all customers. It is our goal to make all our bus services fully accessible as soon as is practically possible. The Travel Assistance Scheme is just one of the initiatives that we have undertaken in our programme of accessibility and we expect that it will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

The Travel Assistance Scheme is available free of charge from 8.00a.m. to 6.00p.m., Monday to Friday, to everyone aged 18 and over. More information can be found by contacting Accessibility Officer, Dolores Quinn, on (01) 7033204 or by e-mailing travelassist@dublinbus.ie.

Dublin Bus will host a stand at this year’s Access, Care and Mobility Exhibition in Citywest Hotel, Saggart. This is the eighth year that Dublin Bus has participated in the event. At the exhibition, one of Dublin Bus’ low floor wheelchair accessible buses will be displayed. On the day, information will be available on accessible features on Dublin Bus vehicles, the company’s Accessibility policy and Dublin Bus’ Travel Assistance Scheme.