County Advice overview
Bus operators in Leicester are steadily making more of their buses as accessible as possible in compliance with the standards required by government regulations. This includes but is not limited to the use of ramps, display screens, audio-visual ‘next stop’ announcements and low floor buses. See the website for further information
Key tips for Planning your journey
When planning a journey by bus, things to consider might be “Where is my nearest bus stop?” and “What bus number do I need?”. You may also want to think about buying your ticket, what it will cost, can you pay by cash or card and can you buy it in advance online. Be aware that online tickets for buses are often non-refundable if you cannot make your journey.
Buses can only stop at marked bus stops, so you need to be sure where you are getting off in advance. If you are not sure, the bus driver should be happy to help you. Ask the driver to let you know when your stop is coming up. You may need to consider if the nearest bus stop is accessible if you are travelling with a scooter or wheelchair.
Choose how you move https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/
Can help with advice about travel choices in your area that may result in saving you time and money.
First Buses have produced cards called Extra Help to Travel cards and Safe Journey Cards for people who have a disability to use on their buses. They are available from Travel shops, or you can download one using the link below:
Journey planning
Local bus providers have journey planners and will be able to help you with information regarding your journey.
Traveline is a partnership of transport companies, local authorities and passenger groups which have come together to bring you routes and times for all travel in Great Britain by bus, rail, and coach to provide it in as many different ways as possible. Plan Your Journey | Traveline
You can check when the next buses in the Leicester area are due at your chosen stop here: https://nextbuses.mobi/
If you are travelling outside the county, the national Next Buses website will help you search for bus timetables and your nearest bus stop.
Operators:
Arriva
First Bus
Centre Bus
Help with cost – Concessionary Travel
Older Person’s Pass
Concessionary bus passes are available for older people who have reached state pension age and resident in Leicester. The older person’s bus pass entitles you to free travel on bus services throughout England from 9.30am to midnight Monday to Friday and all day at Weekends and on public holidays.
For further information www.leicester.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/travelling-by-bus/passes-and-concessionary-fares
Residents of Leicester can apply here:
travelpass.leicester.gov.uk/views/home.faces
Disabled Person’s Bus pass
If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Person’s bus pass Residents of Leicester. There is no upper age restriction for the disabled person’s bus pass.
Information on eligibility is available here:
How Residents of Leicester can apply
If you wish to apply for a disabled bus pass, please sending us an email at bus-pass@leicester.gov.uk to request an application form. Please provide your full name and address details when emailing.
Travelling with mobility equipment
Wheelchairs and Scooters
All Centre Bus, First, and Arriva buses are built for easy access with low floors.
All low floor buses have a dedicated area for wheelchair/scooter users; other passengers are required to give up the space for wheelchair/scooter users.
When your low floor bus arrives at the bus stop you can ask the driver to lower the step and/or ramp to allow you to board.
Wheelchair/scooter users have priority over everyone else for the use of the designated wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely.
Arriva policy
Arriva accept 3 or 4 wheeled Class 2 scooters under the CPT Code for the use and acceptance of mobility scooters on low floor buses provided the scooter does not exceed 100cm long and 60cm wide with a turning circle of 120cm. Mobility scooters will only be carried on accessible buses that are fitted with a ramp provided they do not exceed the weight limit shown on the ramp. In some cases, our ability to carry scooters may be affected by specific factors relevant to the scooter model or accessible bus type.
If the bus is full or there is already a wheelchair/scooter user on board it may not be possible not be able to carry another wheelchair/scooter user. Permits are required to ensure the safety of using mobility scooters on board. Please contact the Customer Service team to arrange a scooter pass assessment on 0344 800 4411.
Centre Bus policy
We would like all passengers to enjoy journeys with Centre Bus regardless of their physical abilities. All of our buses are now low floor and wheelchair accessible.
All standard wheelchairs are accepted on our buses. Wheelchair users should expect priority for the wheelchair bay over buggies and other passengers. Please ask the driver to instruct passengers to vacate the space if required.
First Policy
Of course, wheelchair users have priority over everyone else for the use of the designated wheelchair space, since this is the only place in which they can travel safely. Non-wheelchair users, unlike wheelchair users, will normally have a choice about which part of the bus to sit or stand in.
Common decency and respect for wheelchair users should mean that other passengers make way for them. Passengers are urged to offer cooperation in allowing proper use of the designated wheelchair area.
If the wheelchair space is occupied with a buggy, standing passengers or otherwise full, and there is space elsewhere in the vehicle, the driver will ask that it is made free for a wheelchair user. Where a pushchair or buggy is occupying the space, the driver will ask that it is repositioned, moved to another part of the bus or folded and stored in the luggage space, where available.
Assistance Dogs
All recognised guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed to travel for free on all Leicester buses.