Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the £2 million to provide audio and visual equipment for buses, announced on 29 October 2019, how much of that funding has been distributed to operators to date.

Accessible information plays an important role in making travel easier for everyone, but is particularly important for many disabled people. We want passengers to have access to audible and visible next stop information, regardless of the bus service they use.

On 29 October 2019 we confirmed our partnership with the Real Time Information Group to manage a £2 million fund to provide audible and visible information on buses. Whilst COVID-19 has constrained our ability to launch the competition earlier as we sought to minimise the burdens placed on bus companies, it is our intention to make payments to operators in the 2021/22 financial year.

In the meantime, we are encouraging operators to continue investing in accessible information when introducing new and upgraded vehicles, ensuring that all passengers can travel with confidence.