Many of the bus services operated within South Yorkshire are operated using fully accessible, low floor vehicles. Modern, low-floor buses are much easier to get on and off, particularly for people with reduced mobility, including wheelchair users, the elderly and those travelling with children or heavy luggage.
The number of these buses across the county is steadily increasing, with around 66% of buses in South Yorkshire now being low floor. Legislation requires that all bus services will be operated by fully accessible buses by 2017.
All services operated by fully accessible buses are able to accommodate one ‘reference’ wheelchair of 1200mm length by 700mm width.
The situation regarding the use of mobility scooters on bus services is less clear. Policies can vary and those of South Yorkshire’s two biggest operators can be found below:
First South Yorkshire
First may allow travel on board in a mobility scooter if the model of scooter has undergone a risk assessment to determine its safety and suitability.
They can be contacted on 01709 566000 regarding this policy.
Stagecoach Yorkshire
Stagecoach allow use of certain models of mobility scooter. To check whether the model you use is one of those, you should contact Stagecoach’s Disability Helpdesk on 01522 580515.
Stagecoach recommend double-checking before you travel to make sure the service you wish to use is being operated by fully accessible buses, on 01226 202555.
If you are travelling on a service operated by a different operator, you may wish to contact them directly to establish their position with regard to mobility scooters.
Please visit our guide to low floor bus services in South Yorkshire for a list of services which will usually be operated by fully accessible, low-floor buses.