Bexley Mencap self advocacy group Respect held a ‘Bus Safety Day’ on Wednesday 9th July to help people with a learning disability who might be anxious about using public transport.
Respect Friday Group members planned the day from start to finish using their local travel knowledge and skills with support from Sharon and Ibi from TFL. Respect members have worked with TFL for a number of years attending meetings on behalf of people with learning disabilities in Bexley raising their concerns and working on new projects, such as, a pilot project; try a train day with south eastern rail service.
This event is part of our ongoing efforts to support the community including work with the police and and health and social care services. The event was designed to help our members build confidence in safe use of public transport and an example of practical, targeted support for people with learning disabilities in Bexley.
30 people from the learning disability community joined the sessions to hear TFL staff, Transport Police, a bus driver from our local garage and ticket inspectors give advice and answer their questions.
There were several role play exercises and scenarios with TfL staff including how best to handle difficult situations and tricky passengers who might be causing a nuisance when members are travelling. There was a mock up bus for people to practice inside, and Adam, Bexley Mencap’s User and Engagement Officer, also helped act out the role plays with TfL staff.
Staff also provided good advice on where best to sit on the bus to avoid potential trouble and get off quickly and easily and the best times of the day to travel to keep away from crowds and children leaving school.
Members were told how the driver can help them during their journey. Members also learnt useful information such as what do to if you lose your Freedom Pass and how to get issued with an emergency pass.
On the day, people also had the chance to share their experiences of travelling in Bexley. Liam, who uses a bus to get to Bexley Mencap activities during the week and for his voluntary work in a charity shop says he always likes to sit behind the driver. This is because he can sit down quickly when he gets on the bus.
Liam also said: ‘We learnt lots of useful information and tips. The bus staff are there to help us. The bus safety day has made me feel safer when I travel.’
Jane Menzies, who supports Bexley Mencap’s Respect self – advocacy group and supported members to organise the event said; ‘It was a great turn out which just goes to show how providing safe local transport is so important to our members to help them live their lives. TfL staff, local police, bus driver from a local garage and ticket inspectors gave lots of good advice. It’s vital to have such good links with local services and members know where to go to if they need help or information.’
Well done to all the Respect Friday Group members who worked so hard in helping to make the Bus Safety Day such a success and for all their ongoing efforts on behalf of the local learning disability community across the Borough.
