In support of Catch the Bus Week, the nationwide campaign aimed at driving awareness of the benefits of taking the bus, First Glasgow is going the extra mile to help customers with hearing problems. Drivers are being offered the opportunity to learn sign language so they can communicate better with customers who have hearing difficulties. 

First Glasgow has joined forces with sustainable transport group Greener Journeys to help promote its annual campaign, ‘Catch the Bus Week’ from 29 June – 5 July. Sign language teaching CDs have recently been introduced to the company’s Learning Centre, containing a step-by-step guide to basic techniques.   

Two drivers, based at the company’s Scotstoun depot, made bosses aware that some of their regular customers have impaired hearing. First Glasgow’s learning representative, Ian Graham, arranged for drivers to have access to specialist teaching resources. 

Ian said: 'We have made available teaching CDs which offer a step-by-step guide to learning sign language. 

'I think the training is giving the drivers more confidence, which in turn helps them to deliver excellent customer service.' 

Early success with the sign language techniques was confirmed by driver Joseph Hughes. He said: 'I have three regular customers with hearing problems so it’s really useful for me to learn some sign language. 

'I’m regularly using three sentences which I’ve learned from the CDs – and it’s worth it to see the smile on the passengers’ faces.' 

Fiona Kerr, First Glasgow’s Managing Director, said: 'We want to make travelling by bus as easy as possible for all of our customers, including those who are deaf or hearing impaired. 

'All First drivers receive customer service and disability awareness training which includes dealing with issues faced by deaf and hearing impaired passengers, and we have Safe Journey Cards available to customers who may find it a useful way of asking for any assistance they may need. 

'These additional learning opportunities for drivers will help us deliver our excellent customer service to those with hearing impairments too.' 

First Glasgow depots also display posters which advertise ways that drivers can helping customers with hearing impairments. 

Top tips for travelling by bus when  you’re hearing impaired 

1. If you need to buy a ticket from the driver and have difficulty speaking, it can be useful to write down what ticket you need and show the note to the driver. 
2. Download a Safe Journey Card from www.firstglasgow.com. The Safe Journey Card has been designed to make it easy for you to tell the driver that you need some extra help to make your journey on the bus. For example that you’d like the driver to speak louder because your hearing is impaired, or that you need more time to reach your seat. 
3. First Glasgow bus services operate an ‘exact fare only’ system so it’s useful to have the correct fare for your journey before you board the bus. 
4. Know the approximate journey time to your destination by planning your journey beforehand using First Glasgow’s ‘Journey Planner’ or looking up the timetable at www.firstglasgow.com   
5. If you’re unsure of where the bus stop is for your destination request that the driver lets you know when the bus has arrived. 
6. First Glasgow buses are fitted with illuminated bus stopping signs near the front of the bus that light up when a passenger pushes the stop button. 

First Glasgow operates around 900 buses across Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire and has depots in Parkhead, Dumbarton, Blantyre, Overtown and Scotstoun as well as Caledonia Depot at the site of First Glasgow’s HQ on the south side of Glasgow. 

To find out more about First Glasgow news and initiatives, of for timetable information, go to www.firstglasgow.com or call 0141 420 7600.