Lothian are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment in which disabled individuals, families and anyone with additional access needs can feel confident and safe.
Wheelchair users
Lothian provide thorough Disability Awareness Training to ensure that all of our drivers and customer support advisors are confident in assisting those using our services as wheelchair users.
The aisles on our buses can be as narrow as 0.73m and all wheelchair accessible spaces on our buses are a minimum size of 1.3 metres in length by 0.75 metres in width, in accordance with the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations.
We can accept manual and powered wheelchairs, and adapted pushchairs, on board our buses so long as they are no larger than 700mm wide, 1200mm long and 1350mm high, and in good repair, as per our Conditions of Carriage.
All of our buses have at least one wheelchair accessible space available for adapted pushchairs, manual and powered wheelchairs. These spaces allow wheelchair users to travel safely and in comfort. It is important that this space is available, so if other customers are sitting or standing there we ask that they move elsewhere to free-up the space if it is required by a wheelchair user.
Boarding the bus
For your safety and comfort, once you board the bus please follow these following guidelines:
Park your wheelchair in the dedicated space, facing the rear of the bus with the back of the wheelchair against the support. You will not be permitted to travel facing forwards or sideways.
Some of our vehicles have fixed poles and others have fold down or pull out anti-tip bars. If you are travelling on a vehicle with a fold down or pull out anti-tip bar, this must be in place for the duration of your journey. If you require assistance in moving the bar into position, please bring this to the attention of your bus driver.
Apply the brakes
The driver will wait until this is done before moving the bus
When you are ready to leave the bus, ring the bell so that the driver knows you wish to leave at the next bus stop then wait until the bus has reached a complete stop before alighting
Please be aware that, for the safety of all of our customers, front-mounted power assist devices for manual wheelchairs can only be carried on our services if they have been detached and stored in a bag.
Please be aware that we are unable to accommodate mobility scooters for travel on any of our buses unless they have been dismantled/folded and can be stored as luggage.
If you need extra help to make your journey, the Thistle Assistance Card is available to assist anyone who has difficulty using public transport because of age, disability or illness.
This can be especially useful for individuals with a hidden disability to discreetly alert drivers to their additional needs.
To find out more about this free scheme visit www.thistleassistance.com
We are here to help
Your safety is our priority
Lothian believe that our colleagues and customers have the right to travel without receiving any form of abuse.
Lothian have signed up to the Hate Crime Charter which has been developed by Disability Equality Scotland in partnership with Transport Scotland, the South-East Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTran), People First (Scotland), Police Scotland and British Transport Police.
Lothian operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any physical or verbal abuse directed at our colleagues or customers, and CCTV and audio recording is in operation on all of our buses.
If you wish to bring anything to our attention or provide us with any feedback, please contact our Customer Support Department.
If you witness or are a victim of any crime on board our buses, please bring this to the attention of the driver and call 101/999.
