KNOWLEDGE IS POWER WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT

Buses are the nation’s most popular form of public transport, with millions upon millions of trips every year in the North East alone.

Whether it’s travelling to work or to school, to the shops or to see loved ones, buses help local people make the journeys that matter most.

Everyone deserves this, yet only 30% of buses outside of London offer the accessible information many disabled people rely on to travel confidently, independently and safely.

That’s why we’re introducing new rules so that every bus has audible announcements and visual displays, affording people in the North East and beyond the same access to public transport as those in the capital.

By ensuring everyone on board has access to information about routes, stops, and diversions, this technology will make bus travel a viable option for those who had previously discounted it.

Many larger operators are already on board, and yesterday I saw the technology in action on a local Go-Ahead bus. As we journeyed through the streets of Blyth, the benefits to both disabled passengers and the wider travelling public became clear. It reduces the risk of people becoming lost on an unfamiliar route late at night, makes the network easier to use in new areas and ultimately, encourages more people to take the bus.

I know smaller operators are also keen to make these improvements, but often don’t have the cash to see them through. That’s where the Government’s Accessible Information Grants come in, making over £4.6m available to help bring Britain’s buses up scratch.

But if accessible information on board is one side of the coin, getting the right information while planning a journey is the other.

The Government has teamed up with Scope to publish a ‘Right to Ride’ guide, a one-stop-shop of helpful advice for disabled passengers.

By making clear the assistance and accessibility standards they’re entitled to, and by highlighting the protection they can receive when these standards aren’t met – I hope more passengers can choose the bus with confidence.

When it comes to accessible travel, the phrase “knowledge is power” really does ring true.

Disabled passengers not only need, but deserve, the same access to information as the wider community.

By making this a reality, we can empower people to travel with ease and dignity.

■ Guy Opperman is Roads Minister and Conservative MP for Hexham.