Navigating Bus Fare: Blind & Impaired Tips

Paying bus fare when blind or visually impaired can be challenging, but several resources and strategies can help. Many cities offer accessible public transportation options, such as buses with tactile markers, audible stop announcements, and apps providing real-time updates. Additionally, most public transportation systems offer discounted fares for individuals with disabilities, which can be obtained by filling out a form or providing relevant documentation. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training is also available to help individuals navigate public transit systems, including learning how to identify stop locations, pay fares, and seek assistance when needed. Some specific bus services also provide assistance, such as helping individuals with visual impairments find a seat and alerting them when they reach their desired stop.

Ask the bus driver for help

Asking the bus driver for help is a good strategy when you are blind or visually impaired. This is especially true if you are new to the area or are unsure about the bus routes. When you board the bus, inform the driver of your intended destination. They can then let you know when you've reached your stop, and even assist you in getting off the bus.

If you are unsure about the bus routes, it is a good idea to plan your trip in advance. Knowing which bus to take is important, and can also help the driver to help you. Tricks like using Google Maps' Street View can help you identify where to go and whether there are any sidewalks available.

If you are a frequent bus user, it may be worth getting to know the drivers on your regular routes. This can make asking for help easier, as you will be more familiar with each other.

In addition to asking the driver for help, you can also ask other people at the station. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance if you are lost! Many people are willing to help, whether you need to find a specific bus or train.

Use a mobile app

Mobile applications can be a great way to navigate public transportation when blind or visually impaired. Many public transportation systems have mobile apps that provide real-time updates on bus or train arrival times, maps of the system, and even help with planning the best route. These apps can be used to alert the user when the bus or train is approaching and to provide audio directions to the nearest bus stop.

When using a mobile app for public transportation, it is important to download the app before heading out to get the most out of your trip. In addition, it may be helpful to download Google Maps of specific locations ahead of time, as Google Maps offers detailed speaking directions for the visually impaired.

Some apps may have accessibility issues when used with a screen reader. For example, one user reported that the TalkBack screen reader on Android struggled with alerts when the phone was being used for another task, such as texting. In contrast, VoiceOver on iOS devices seems to handle alerts better. It is worth experimenting with different screen readers and devices to find the combination that works best for you.

Additionally, when using a mobile app for public transportation, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and ask for help if needed. Let the driver know your stop when you first board, and be careful when boarding and alighting from the bus or train.

Overall, mobile apps can be a helpful tool for blind or visually impaired individuals navigating public transportation, providing real-time updates and audio directions. However, it is important to be aware of any accessibility issues and to ask for assistance when needed.

Get an assistance card

If you are blind or visually impaired, you may benefit from getting an assistance card. This card can help you access various transportation services and concessions. Here are some reasons why getting an assistance card can be beneficial:

Transportation Discounts:

Different countries, states, and cities offer various discounts on public transportation for people with visual impairments. For example, in the US, each transit system has its own discount policy. Some offer half-price passes, while others provide discounted fares for as low as $1 per ride. Similarly, in the UK, you can get a bus pass that gives you free concessionary travel throughout the country. Contact your local transport providers or authorities to find out about specific discounts in your area.

Railcards and Concessions:

In addition to bus discounts, there are also concessions available for rail travel. For instance, the Disabled Person's Railcard in England, Wales, and Scotland offers at least a third off certain rail tickets for the cardholder and an accompanying adult. Even without this railcard, you can get discounted rail travel of 34% or 50% on certain tickets or free travel for a companion. You can also receive sighted assistance at the beginning and end of your rail journey by contacting the train operating company in advance.

Accessible Features:

Public transportation systems often have accessible features to assist blind and visually impaired individuals. For instance, "tactile flooring" and special tactile maps may be available at bus interchanges and stations to help guide those with visual impairments. Additionally, audio announcements and speaking directions can aid in navigation. Some bus systems also have apps that provide real-time updates and alerts for bus arrivals.

Paratransit Services:

Paratransit is a curb-to-curb, on-demand shared-ride service specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, including visual impairments. This service is typically provided in regions where regular fixed-route bus and train systems are available. To qualify for paratransit, you may need to fill out an application and, in some cases, complete an interview and assessment. Once eligible, you can schedule rides and be picked up and dropped off at your desired locations.

Orientation and Mobility Training:

If you're unsure about how to use public transportation or need help understanding transit systems, you can consider Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training. This training can teach you how to recognize stop locations, where to pay, and how to ask for help when needed.

By getting an assistance card, you can access these benefits and services, making your travel experience more accessible and convenient. Remember to always carry your assistance card with you when using public transportation to take advantage of these offerings.

Use tactile flooring

Tactile flooring is a system of textured ground surface indicators to assist blind or visually impaired pedestrians. These tactile warnings provide a distinctive surface pattern of truncated domes, cones, or bars, which can be detected by a long cane or underfoot. They are used to alert visually impaired individuals of approaching streets and hazardous surface or grade changes, such as stairs or curbs.

Tactile flooring is an essential safety feature, especially at pedestrian crossing points, curbs, and railway platforms. The system was first developed in Japan in 1965, inspired by braille, and has since spread worldwide. The use of tactile flooring is mandated in the United States by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

Tactile flooring can be made from various materials, including stainless steel, brass, aluminium, acrylic, rubber, and polyurethane, to suit different floor surfaces and environments. The flooring is glued onto existing floors without causing damage. It is also wheelchair-friendly and slip-resistant.

Tactile flooring can be designed with specific spacing to guide visually impaired individuals along a particular route. This is particularly useful when traditional cues, such as property lines or kerb edges, are not available. The flooring can also help guide people around obstacles, such as street furniture.

The colour of tactile flooring is important. It should provide a strong colour contrast with the surrounding area to assist partially sighted individuals. However, the colour should not be red, as this is reserved for controlled pedestrian crossings.

Tactile flooring is a valuable tool to assist blind or visually impaired individuals in navigating public spaces safely and independently. It is one of several measures that can be implemented to improve accessibility and wayfinding for people with visual impairments.

Use a guide dog

If you are blind or visually impaired, one way to pay your bus fare is by using a guide dog. Guide dogs are highly trained canines that help their handlers travel safely, avoid obstacles, stop at elevation changes, and remember common routes. They are also trained to refuse a command when it would lead to danger, such as walking into oncoming traffic.

To obtain a guide dog, you must first find a service dog program for the blind. There are around fifteen different guide dog schools in the United States, with more located internationally. These schools will pair you with a trained dog and provide initial training. The process typically includes submitting an application, participating in a telephone interview, a home visit, and in-person training at a certified guide dog school. Some schools may also require you to pay fees associated with getting a service dog and attending the training.

When travelling with a guide dog on a bus, it is important to note that the dog must be kept under proper control and held in a special harness. Bus drivers and staff are trained to assist passengers with sight loss and can provide support if needed. It is recommended to inform the bus driver if you will need assistance in paying the fare or locating a seat.

Additionally, guide dogs are allowed on buses in most countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. In London, for example, new bus drivers are required to take a BTEC course that includes disability equality training. This training covers the regulation that drivers can allow more than one guide dog on their bus at any given time.

By following these steps and utilizing the support of a guide dog, individuals who are blind or visually impaired can confidently and safely navigate bus travel and pay their bus fare.

Frequently asked questions