Bus and tram

buses All buses are low-floor vehicles (excluding Heritage buses on routes 9 and 15), which means that they are lowered to street level when the bus stops and the doors open

Buses

Floor level buses enable all customers, including wheelchair users*, people with buggies, people with assistance dogs and people with other mobility impairments to get on and off easily.

_{* The wheelchair space on buses cannot take a wheelchair bigger than 70cm in width and 120cm in length.}

Free travel

Wheelchair users are entitled to free travel on buses and do not need to show any ticket or pass but anyone accompanying them must hold a valid ticket or pay the appropriate fare.

Children and young people under the age of 18 in full-time education and those holding Freedom Passes are also entitled to free travel on buses.

Wheelchairs

On all buses, there is room for one wheelchair user and each bus has a retractable ramp which makes access easier. Most wheelchairs, including motorised types, will fit onto buses but motorised scooters (those with handlebars) can't be carried onto buses.

On most buses you will be boarding at the centre doors where the ramp is located. When boarding the bus, the front doors will stay closed so that passengers getting on do not obstruct you as you board. The centre doors will open to allow passengers to get off. The centre doors will then close and the wheelchair ramp will extend. Once the centre doors are opened, it`s safe for you to board the bus. It`s best to board forward as it makes it easier to position yourself on board.

Once on board, position yourself in the wheelchair space with your back against the backrest and your brake on. To leave the bus, press the button with the wheelchair symbol on it, next to the wheelchair space, shortly before your stop.

This button has a distinct sound and a light will appear on the driver`s dashboard to let him know yours is the next stop. The bus will pull in close to the kerb. The front doors will stay closed to give you time to get off.

The centre doors will open so that other passengers can get off. The centre doors will close and the driver will extend the ramp. The centre doors will reopen so that you can leave the bus. If the ramp goes out of service after you have boarded, it is the responsibility of the bus operator to ensure that you can leave the bus safely.

If you are unable to board a bus because of a broken ramp, please wait for the next one and tell Customer Services as soon as possible on 0845 300 7000.

Buggies

Low-floor buses are designed to allow buggies to remain unfolded in the wheelchair space, since this is the oly place in which they can travel safely. If somene in a wheelchair wishes to board, and the wheelchair space is occupied by standing passengers or buggies, standing passengers will be asked to make room lease make sure that buggies are safely positioned within the designated area. Unfolded buggies cannot travel in the gangway.

Wheelchair users have priority over everyone else for use of the wheelchair space. If someone in a wheelchair wishes to board, and the wheelchair space is occupied by standing passengers or buggies, standing passengers will be asked by the driver to make room if possible, buggy owners will be asked to fold them and put them in the luggage space or keep them by their side.

If you have a buggy, you should be able to board any low-floor bus unless (in the driver`s opinion) it is so crowded that there is no room for you to travel safely. You will only be refused admittance when it is absolutely necessary. No one already travelling will be asked to get off the bus.

Single buggies should be wheeled through the front doors of the bus and into the wheelchair area. If a single buggy is too wide to fit through the doors and down the aisle, it must be folded (doesn't apply to bendy buses).

Passengers with a double buggy can board using the rear doors of a bus. Please check with the driver that it is okay to get on.

Assistance dogs