Guide Dog Puppies And Their Owners Set To Travel On Board Stagecoach Buses For Free In New Scheme

Cute new passengers will soon be spotted on board buses thanks to a partnership between Stagecoach and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire has joined forces with the charity, to help in the training of its guide dog puppies.

Under the new initiative, trainers and their puppies can board any Stagecoach bus in the region for free.

Travelling on public transport is a vital part of the training programme for prospective guide dogs, to help them adapt to a variety of sounds, movements and smells.

Tom Waterhouse, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said:
“Guide Dogs help provide a lifeline to people with sight loss, and the volunteers who help train the dogs play a crucial part in the process.

“When we were approached by Guide Dogs we were delighted to be able to help in our own way, helping ensure that more people can have access to this scheme and regain their independence.”

All Guide Dogs volunteers have an ID badge with their photo, name, and Guide Dogs ID number. They will be wearing a Guide Dog identifiable yellow flash on their lead which reads ‘Dog in Training’. Some dogs may be wearing an orange flash, which means they are in a different stage of their training.

Ruby Harvey, from The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association said:
“Partnerships like these are essential in helping us train our prospective guide dogs and make sure they are equipped for every life eventuality.

“We cannot wait to see how this benefits our trainers.”

The scheme officially launched on Monday.

Guide Dogs supports people in the UK living with sight loss, helping them live actively, independently, and well. It was founded in 1934 and relies almost entirely on donations.