Hidden Disabilities

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.
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Priority seating

Lothian provide priority seating on all of our buses. 

These seats are positioned near the bus entrance and exit doors, have more leg room and include appropriately positioned handrails and bells. 

These seats are intended for use by elderly customers, those with a disability, and pregnant customers. Please remember that not all disabilities are visible.

We ask customers who do not specifically need the priority seating to sit elsewhere on the bus, where possible, to ensure these seats are available for those who need them.

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Our drivers are here to help

Our bus drivers and Customer Support team receive disability awareness training that includes a wide range of conditions including  autism, visual and hearing impairments, dementia and epilepsy.

They are also trained to recognise the Thistle Assistance Card / App and Hidden Disabilities Sunflowers, and are there to help you if you need any assistance. Please just ask.

 

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.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower discreetly indicates that an individual may need additional support, help or a little more time. Since the initiative launched in 2016, it has been adopted globally by major airports and venues.

Lothian is committed to promoting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower and joins a growing list of businesses whose colleagues can provide support where needed. Sunflower Lanyards are available free of charge to customers and can be collected from our Shandwick and Waverley TravelHubs.

To find out more about the initiative, visit Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

thistle assistance logo

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

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We are here to help

Lothian acknowledge and support the fact that not all disabilities are visible and our customers should be able to travel free from judgement. We aim to create a culture of inclusion across Edinburgh and hope all of our customers support us by showing patience and kindness to each other and our colleagues. If you require any additional support with your journey planning or any aspect of your travel with us, please contact our dedicated Accessibility team via email to [email protected]

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.

In partnership with RNIB, Deaf Action, Guide Dogs Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland