App for blind bus users expands to 13 hospitals
BBCBlind and partially sighted people will be able to travel independently to 13 hospitals in Surrey under an expanded council scheme.
Surrey County Council (SCC) has been piloting the Aira app, which allows people to call a trained visual interpreter who can guide them between the bus stop and nearby railway stations.
After expanding the pilot to eight areas including Caterham, Dorking and Oxted, SCC said the service would now be available at hospitals including Royal Surrey County Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Farnham Hospital.
Matt Furniss, cabinet member highways, transport and economic growth, said SCC hopes this expansion will "support people to travel confidently and independently".
Nikki Roberts, CEO at Surrey coalition of disabled people, said the "provision of this service free of charge at key locations will be hugely beneficial for our members with sight loss".
Furniss said the council is prioritising a wide range of investments in buses, including £6.3m to provide more ultra-low and zero emission community transport minibuses, and £1.4m in improving information for passengers at bus stops.
The full list of hospitals is as follows:
- Royal Surrey County Hospital
- Frimley Park Hospital
- Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals
- East Surrey Hospital
- Farnham Hospital
- Epsom Hospital
- Woking Community Hospital
- Molesey Hospital
- Walton Community Hospital
- Sunbury Health Centre
- Leatherhead Community Hospital
- Cranleigh Village Hospital
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