Getting around by bus presents its own set of challenges for disabled people, especially those whose disability is not obvious to the travelling public or even the driver. Letting others know that you need a seat and reaching or leaving it safely can present problems. The design team looked at how the existing Oyster card system could be made more responsive and alert fellow passengers and the driver to the need for sensitivity and care.
The Oyster Plus is an innovative and implementable extension of London’s current Oyster card system that encourages mobility and independence for people with clear or hidden disabilities.
Oyster Plus extends the benefits of the Oyster Card system by providing discreet information to bus drivers and other bus users for a disabled, vulnerable or older person’s need of a seat. When such a passenger swipes their card on the reader, they can identify the reserved seats by their yellow indicator light and the driver is informed of the need to wait until they are safely seated. When the passenger swipes their card on the indicator light on the seat, a green light appears on the dashboard and the driver knows he can proceed. The other passengers also know that the seat is legitimately occupied since the indicator light is now off. When the passenger wishes to alight, they push a button on the handrail by the seat to inform the driver and he knows that must take care in slowing down and positioning the bus.
In this way, Oyster Plus provides a safer environment and more pleasurable journey by discreetly alerting the driver at the point of entry and fellow passengers in the vicinity of reserved seating of the need to access a seat. It is intended that this awareness will prevent the common occurrence of falls when the bus moves off, educate passengers that disabilities are often not apparent and promote a more inclusive community.
