A DISABILITY group campaigning for better access to public transport has slammed Glasgow’s bus stops after a one-legged veteran was forced to chase a bus in the snow.

Savio D’Souza, vice chair of Disability Action East Renfrewshire, recently witnessed the episode and is now calling for better information at bus stops for people with accessibility issues.

Mr D’Souza claimed the veteran was waiting at a bus stop on Bath Street which was out of order.

However, this wasn’t made clear to the waiting passengers, prompting him to chase after the bus down Renfield Street.

Glasgow Times: Dr D'Souza, from Disability Action ER, is calling for better signposting of bus stops in Glasgow. Union Street is one of the problematic areas for disability access to the bus network.Dr D'Souza, from Disability Action ER, is calling for better signposting of bus stops in Glasgow. Union Street is one of the problematic areas for disability access to the bus network.

He said: “The man, who was clearly a veteran and had only one leg, tried to indicate that he wanted to get on the bus and the bus driver gestured ‘the bus stop's closed’.

“It was also snowing that day and he went running up the road and towards the next stop.

“The bus was there but when he got to the bus stop, the driver, who clearly saw him coming, just drove off.”

Mr D’Souza said there was a sign indicating that the bus stop was closed, but this was placed in front of it, on the kerb side, meaning it was not visible to passengers waiting.

Glasgow Times: A signed put in front of the bus stop can cause problems to passengers who would not see it, especially anyone with accessibility issues, said Dr D'Souza.A signed put in front of the bus stop can cause problems to passengers who would not see it, especially anyone with accessibility issues, said Dr D'Souza.

He added: “There is no compassion, we know people with disabilities are going to struggle a bit more with things like this.

“There's just no thought about how if you change the bus stop, and create a temporary bus stop, why create it so far away forcing someone to run in the snow. It’s crazy.

“You can imagine someone in a wheelchair, if you've got a bus stop down the hill and up the hill, it's not great.”

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Mr D’Souza, who has been lobbying Glasgow City Council to improve accessibility, said poor signposting of bus stops and confusing routes, like the multiple 38 buses, are also making life difficult for people with disabilities.

These issues would discourage people from using public transport, he said, hindering efforts to make the city carbon-neutral.

He added: “If we're serious about having green journeys, we need to encourage people to use public transport, not make it difficult.

“The council committed to green, accessible travel but this is an example of how there is no joined-up approach between organisations to improve things, it lacks common sense.

“For example, on Union Street, if someone in a wheelchair comes out of Central Station, how are they supposed to work out where the bus is? Just a simple sign would be helpful.”

Glasgow Times: Improving accessibility at bus stops in Glasgow would mean encouraging more people to use public transport and cut emissions in the city.Improving accessibility at bus stops in Glasgow would mean encouraging more people to use public transport and cut emissions in the city.

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Glasgow City Council, which owns and maintains the city’s 3,000 bus stops, said it’s been improving facilities with funding from SPT, prioritising the most used routes.

A spokesperson said: “Work includes installing high access kerbs to allow step-free boarding for passengers with mobility issues, introducing new shelters and adding digital information boards at stops.

“We liaise routinely with SPT to ensure they are informed of developments that may disrupt bus services, such as roadworks or events-related road closures.

“Our overall aim is to ensure barriers to inclusive mobility are removed across Glasgow and the travel needs of those with disabilities are fully accounted for in project design and policy development.”

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SPT, which provides service information for passengers, said: “Due to severe bus driver shortages as part of the ongoing impact of the pandemic, many local bus operators are operating revised and limited timetables – often changing at short notice.

"It is therefore recognised that in many locations roadside bus service information at bus stops is regrettably not as accurate as it is required to be for passengers.

“SPT is currently working to roll-out revised roadside information panels across Strathclyde with local bus operators and Transport Scotland to improve the information provision at bus stops. 

“While we have engaged with disability groups as part of our Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) to ensure we take account of the needs of all those who use public transport, we will now contact Disability Action ER to discuss their specific concerns.”

A spokesperson for First Bus said: “We are continuing to make positive improvements to the frequency of our services across Glasgow as more drivers join First Bus.

“We would always recommend customers use the First Bus website or the First Bus app for the most up-to-date timetable information.”