Swindon's Bus Company is championing inclusivity by making public transport more accessible to locals with learning disabilities and autism.

Working in collaboration with Swindon Borough Council and Stagecoach West, the bus company sent a vehicle to a special council event hosting a session aimed at simplifying bus boarding for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.

The coordinated effort is part of broader measures aimed at ensuring optimal accessibility to the borough's public transport.

Representatives from both bus operators attended the event to gather feedback directly from those using the services.

Organised by Swindon Borough Council and the Experts by Experience on the Learning Disability Partnership, the occasion was considered essential by the council as a forum for two-way communication to improve transport provisions.

Swindon's Bus Company general manager, Andrew Sherrington, stated: "Buses, and other public transport, are at the heart of how many of us live our lives - helping us get to work, school or college, healthcare commitments, and social events."

He also voiced an ambition to render public transport inclusive, seeking to instil confidence in individuals with learning disabilities or autism who may currently feel overwhelmed with the transport system.

Mr Sherrington added: "Our team found the event incredibly useful, in terms of understanding the needs and concerns of those attending.

"We hope bringing the bus along also gave people the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the bus boarding process - and that they will be travelling with us across Swindon very soon."

Expressing his pleasure over the event's success, Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: "It is really important that we have a public transport service that is accessible to all, so I am really pleased we were able to connect members of the Experts by Experience group with the bus companies so they could explain at first hand some of the challenges they face and what could make life easier for them."

Reflecting on the positive impact of the event, Lily O’Brien, expert by experience on the Learning Disability Partnership, said: "It’s good to have events like this – to help the disabled community feel included in making the local bus company more accessible.

"I even learnt a couple of new things."

Individuals seeking more information about the Learning Disability Partnership can contact abaker2@swindon.gov.uk, and for information about Swindon’s Bus Company, they are encouraged to visit swindonbus.co.uk.