I recently had an experience that perfectly encapsulates some of the joys and frustrations of navigating public transport with hidden disabilities. It all started with my disabled bus pass. Now, for those of us who can’t hear normally, the little “bleep” a bus pass makes when you tap it is utterly meaningless. But apparently, that bleep is crucial!
My pass, valid until 2029, suddenly decided to go silent. Every driver I encountered, let me on with a simple flash of the card, just like when I use it in London & elsewhere in the UK. Every driver, that is, except one. This particular driver insisted I’d have to pay. Thankfully, my partner Rob was with me. Not only can he hear through the driver’s glass partition (a skill I truly envy!), but he also heard the driver declare that “only pensioners” could just show their pass without the “bleep.”
Armed with this new (and slightly confusing) information, and a silent pass, I knew a trip to the Nottingham Council Travel shop on Smithy Row was in order. And they were absolutely fantastic!
My first request when I got to the front of the line was for a loop system – something legally required in UK venues like this, but often, frustratingly, not working (it’s not the law they have to work!) Not only did they have one, but they immediately fetched a portable unit that was fully charged and working perfectly & paired with the loop setting on my hearing devices instantly. Full marks to the staff for being so proactive and ensuring an inclusive experience right from the word go.
They quickly tested my silent assassin of a bus pass and confirmed it was, indeed, broken. A new one was ordered, set to arrive by post in about 10 days. My next question, naturally, was what to do in the interim. Their advice? “Just show the card.” I recounted my encounter with the bleep-demanding driver and the “pensioners only” rule, and their response was illuminating: the staff at the travel office confirmed there is no difference between a pensioner pass and a disabled pass when it comes to being allowed to travel without a “beeping” tap. It is, they reiterated, totally up to the driver. This strongly suggests my previous driver must have been operating under his own set of rules.
Now, this left me wondering. Was he a “jobsworth” having a bad day? Or did he, perhaps, judge me as not having a disability because my deafness and coronary heart disease aren’t immediately visible? Presenting as “fit and well” can often lead to such assumptions, which is a common experience for many of us with hidden disabilities. Either way, I strongly believe that access to essential services based on disability shouldn’t be left to individual “discretion.” Surely, if I were in a wheelchair or had a more physically apparent disability, he wouldn’t have even considered charging me? It undermines the very principle of inclusive access.
Despite that one blip, I want to extend full marks and a huge, heartfelt thank you to the Nottingham Council Travel office and the incredible people who work there. You provided a truly inclusive service, and your efficiency and understanding were a breath of fresh air.
For those of you with older or disabled bus passes, here’s a quick reminder of the travel perks, courtesy of the Nottingham City Council:
When you can travel:
* Between 9:30 am and 11 pm on Monday to Friday
* Before 9:30 am and after 11 pm on Monday to Friday for Nottingham City Council mobility pass holders in the Nottingham City Area.
* All day at weekends
* All day on Bank Holidays
Where you can travel:
* Outside the city: Your bus pass allows you free travel on all Local bus services in England (this does not include the tube, trams, trains, or premium bus/coach services).
* Within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: You can enjoy free travel on all Bus and Tram Services.
So, while my silent bus pass caused a momentary hiccup, the positive outcome and the exceptional service from the Nottingham Council Travel team truly shone through. Here’s hoping for more consistent and accessible experiences for all!
