Getting Around: What blind and partially sighted people told us
The way people in the UK travel is changing rapidly with more pavement obstacles, reduced bus services, and a rise in e-scooters and e-bikes. For blind and partially sighted people, these changes can be exhausting and dangerous. More than half of people with sight loss tell RNIB they want to go out more than they currently do.
This series of reports on walking, rail and bus travel presents findings from an online survey conducted by RNIB in February 2025 which 1197 people responded to, as well as insights from focus groups with blind and partially sighted people.
Platform for Change: making rail journeys more accessible for people with sight loss
Accessible train travel is vital for blind and partially sighted people to live independently, get to work, visit friends and family, and access health services. Travelling by rail can also often be a preferred mode of public transport due to the availability of passenger assistance, reliable stopping points and on-board station announcements.
But our new Platform for Change report shows that too many journeys are still impacted or prevented by unnecessary difficulties.
More than one in three blind and partially sighted people can’t make the train journeys they want or need to. From buying tickets and navigating stations, to receiving assistance and boarding the train safely, the experience is often inconsistent and stressful. Only 44 per cent are reliably met by assistance staff, and 82 per cent struggle with the gap between the train and platform edge.
Looking ahead to the establishment of Great British Railway (GBR), there’s a unique opportunity for the UK Government and transport providers to embed accessibility from the start - to make sure everyone can travel freely and safely.
Read the Platform for Change report
“Our experiences as rail passengers are vital to our ability and willingness to get out and about: trains allow blind and partially sighted people to do everything from daily commutes to travelling across the country.”
Lucy Edwards, Broadcaster, disability activist and content creator
All aboard? Navigating bus travel with sight loss
Buses are the most used form of public transport and provide a vital service to blind and partially sighted people in getting to work, being able to attend healthcare appointments, complete their education, and be part of their communities.
However, bus travel presents particular challenges for people with sight loss. Our new ‘All aboard?’ report shows fewer than half of blind and partially sighted people can make all the journeys by bus that they want or need to. It contains recommendations for comprehensive change from the UK Government, bus operators and the general public that would make buses more accessible to people with sight loss.
“With the right support from local and national governments, better design and awareness from bus companies, and just a little more understanding from our fellow passengers, we can make the bus a space that blind and partially sighted people can use confidently and comfortably.
Lucy Edwards, Broadcaster, disability activist and content creator
Image: A picture of Lucy Edwards sitting with her chin resting on her hand. She has long ginger hair and is wearing a navy blue dress. 'David Reiss photography
Share the All aboard? report with your local authority and bus operator
You can use the template letters below to share the report with your local authority’s transport department and bus operators. The templates include space for you to share your personal experience of bus travel.
Contacting your local bus operator
If you know which operator runs services in your area, you’ll find contact details on their website. If you aren’t sure, you can use this bus finder tool on the Gov.uk website to find operators in your area. If you use buses from more than one operator, feel free to send a version addressed to each of them.
Contacting your local authority
You’ll find contact details for your local authority on their website. Use this tool to find your local authority and access their website.
On Track for Inclusive Train Travel
Everyone should be able to travel by train with confidence, dignity and independence. Funded by the Motability Foundation, RNIB and Community Rail Network have published the Discovery Report from the On Track for Inclusive Train Travel project.
This report explores disabled people's experiences of rail travel and examines how staff training, operational systems, organisational culture and the wider railway environment affect accessibility and inclusion.
