A ground breaking scheme to help blind people find their way around Swansea’s transport services has been launched.
Swansea Council has teamed up with, Arriva Trains Wales and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to produce special hand-held maps in braille and large print.
The maps help to give public transport users who are blind or partially sighted the information they need to use the city’s new bus station and the central train station.
Swansea City Bus Station has been redeveloped and the central train station is in the process of having a makeover.
Sue King, RNIB’s Tactile Images and Maps Consultant said: “In Swansea, the main transport facilities have been renovated and Swansea Council needs to do what they can to help inform users of the new layout and the facilities the stations offer.
“The new map initiative will provide blind and partially sighted people with the important information they need when using the bus and railway stations including where to buy tickets, where to get assistance, and other facilities such as toilets and shops.
“I’m not aware of any other town or city in the country that is providing a similar service. It is an extremely positive step forward in giving people with sight difficulties the opportunity of having such valuable information available to them personally.”
Chris Vinestock, Head of Transportation at Swansea Council, said: “Public transport is a vital service for thousands of residents and visitors to Swansea.
“We are continuing to do everything we can to ensure public transport is accessible to everyone.
“We have recently redeveloped our main bus station to provide bus users with a state of the art facility. Throughout the development process, we met with disability groups so they could contribute to the redevelopment.
“I’m confident the new maps will help make public transport easier to use for individuals that are blind or partially sighted.”
