Disabled activists are frustrated with the government’s decision to only partially pause the construction of floating bus stops. These bus stops are designed in a way that can be hazardous for blind and visually impaired people, who have to cross a cycle lane to get on or off the bus.
The government has paused the use of one type of floating bus stop, where passengers step directly into a bike lane, but has not stopped the construction of another type, called a “bus stop bypass.” In this design, cyclists ride behind the bus stop, creating an “island” for passengers. Activists argue that this design is also unsafe, especially for blind people who may not notice fast-moving bikes behind them.
Disability groups, such as the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, have been warning about the dangers of floating bus stops for years. They say that these designs are discriminatory and make it difficult or even dangerous for blind and visually impaired people to use buses. They argue that the Equality Act has failed to protect disabled passengers from these unsafe designs.
The government’s decision has been criticized by activists, who had hoped for a complete ban on all floating bus stops. Andrew Hodgson from the National Federation of the Blind of the UK said that the decision was disappointing and that the planned review of bus stop designs won’t be effective because it’s being led by the same people who created the problem.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, initially announced that all floating bus stops would be paused, but later clarified that only the most dangerous type would be paused. This has caused confusion, and it’s unclear whether the minister will apologize for the mixed message.
Overall, disabled activists are calling for a complete ban on floating bus stops, arguing that they are discriminatory and put vulnerable passengers at risk. They hope that the government will reconsider its decision and prioritize accessibility and safety for all passengers.
