Press releases

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) has announced that bus operator Arriva Yorkshire has been selected by an independent panel as the winners of the travel/leisure category of the RNIB/Thames Water Best Practice Awards.

The Company had been shortlisted for the award because of the development and introduction of the announce system on routes 110 Wakefield to Leeds and X33 Sheffield to Bradford.

Announce is a partnership of Metro, Hanover Displays, DFT, Wayfarer, Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DIPTAC) and Arriva Yorkshire.

The system gives added comfort and ease of use to Arriva Yorkshire customers with visual and aural disabilities. The system works by means of a visual display and verbal announcement giving details of specific bus services and individual bus stops along the route.

The RNIB/Thames Water Best Practice Awards are held annually, and are intended to recognise individuals, organisations and companies who are prepared to make exceptional efforts to benefit people with serious sight problems, and/or other disabilities. The key messages of Best Practice are innovation, inclusion and inspiration. The only transport operator to be shortlisted, Arriva, beat stiff competition from The English Tourism Council, and England Heritage to win the award.

Ken Clarke, managing director of Arriva Yorkshire who accepted the awards, said:

We are delighted that our work has been recognised by the RNIB.

'Announce' is an exciting local project developed in partnership which has already provided benefits to many passengers.

Caroll Pattison of RNIB commented:

Arriva are very worthy winners of RNIB's Best Practice Award for their efforts in making their services accessible to all.

ENDS