In early December the Royal National Institute for the Blind achieved some great results during European negotiations on legislation to provide new rights for disabled people when using buses and coaches across the EU. RNIB and other disability organisations across Europe have campaigned har
d and the European Parliament and EU governments have now agreed to include in the proposed legislation: new rights on access to travel information before and during the journey and the obligation for all bus and coach drivers to take part in disability awareness training. In addition, there will be free assistance for disabled people at terminals and on board all long distance bus and coach journeys of 250 km (155 miles),and where necessary, free transport for companions. Assistance will be provided as long as it is booked 36 hours in advance of travel. In order to become law, the legislation now needs to be agreed by EU transport ministers and Members of the European Parliament in early 2011. If you would like to support this campaign the RNIB has created a new template letter to help you send a message to your MP now calling on the UK government to support the legislation.
