Brighton bus company wins praise from minister

The minister, who has responsibility for buses and accessibility on public transport, spent a couple of hours with the company and looked around one of their new ‘intelligent’ buses which include features specifically to make travel easier for people living with disabilities.

The buses have a lighter floor colour, specifically for people living with dementia, and are generally more spacious in the gangway to make it easier for people with disabilities or the elderly to make their way to a seat.

Ms Ghani, who is the MP for Wealden in East Sussex, said: “It was brilliant to hear about Brighton and Hove’s initiatives to make its buses greener and more accessible as well as its strategies to tackle congestion.

“People with disabilities must have the same opportunities to access transport as everyone else and I was impressed with Brighton’s ‘intelligent’ buses which clearly consider the needs of these passengers.

“It was encouraging to hear about the company’s ambition for a fleet of entirely emissions-free buses which will make a real difference in improving the local air quality.”

Martin Harris, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said: “I welcome the minister’s position championing buses, her insight that the industry’s biggest obstacle is congestion and her foresight that buses will become even more vital in the future.

“It’s been really valuable to host this visit. Buses are going through a technological revolution in front of our very eyes. The air pollution debate has been a game changer for the industry.

“Brighton and Hove Buses is well on its way to the future where the bus service will be wholly sustainable and emissions free. These new generation nearly emissions-free buses are a fantastic place to be in the interim while we work towards a clean air city.”

Brighton and Hove Buses’ award-winning Helping Hand assistive card scheme was recently rolled out across bus services around the country by transport provider Go-Ahead.