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.
Expectant parents
Customers who are expecting are encouraged to use our priority seating when required for their own safety.
All of our buses can be lowered to make it easier for individuals to get on and off safely. If you find it challenging to board and alight the bus, please ask the driver to lower the bus for you if they have not done so already.
Buggy users
We understand that travelling with young children can be difficult. For those wishing to use our services, we recommend that customers consider foldable and lightweight buggies to make travel as safe and as easy as possible.
Lightweight and foldable buggies make it easier to get onto and off of the bus, as well as manoeuvring through the aisles and positioning safely in the wheelchair accessible or shared spaces. It also means that the buggy can be collapsed and stored as luggage on our busier services or where the wheelchair accessible space and/or additional shared spaces are in use.
The aisles on our buses are 0.73m at their most narrow 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. When these spaces are not required by a wheelchair user, they may be used by other customers. Please note: any buggy used in this space must fit safely without causing an obstruction to the aisle or other seats. This maximum size includes any attachments, handles or bags.
For your safety and comfort, once you board the bus please position the buggy following these guidelines:
Park your buggy in the dedicated space (either the wheelchair accessible space or buggy/ shared space) with your child facing the rear of the bus with the back of the buggy against the support
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, please ensure this is 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
Travelling with children
For customers travelling with young children who no longer use a buggy, many of our buses have ‘parent and child’ seats located at the very front of the bus near the driver. These allow easy access and are close to the doors and driver.
Wherever you choose to sit on the vehicle, please ensure your child is always sat down safely during the journey. Your child’s safety is your responsibility.
Please ask your bus driver if you require any assistance or email [email protected] if you have any questions.
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.
