BUS drivers have been trying to understand what life is like for visually impaired passengers in a bid to improve their service.

Arriva has just signed up to the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) Bus Charter which is aimed at making sure services are fully accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Drivers at Arriva’s depot in Durham became blind for the day to help them understand the difficulties visually impaired people can face while catching the bus.

Francesca Di Giorgio, RNIB regional campaigns officer said: “Blind and partially sighted people rely on buses to get around and when they are not as accessible as they should be it impacts on people’s independence.

“These events help drivers understand the needs of blind and partially sighted people and how best they can meet them.”

Nick Knox, Arriva’s area managing director, said: “We’re particularly keen to work with the RNIB to make it easier for people with sight loss or impaired vision because it makes the service more accessible.

“Today was about some of our drivers experiencing what it’s like for someone with sight loss which is extremely useful.”