Integrated Accessible Transport 2

INTEGRATED TRANSPORT SYSTEM
Regarding Real Time Bus Information in Edinburgh it appears that, at present, only one bus company can use this system - Lothian Region Buses. I do not see why other bus companies cannot join this scheme, such as First Bus, Stage Coach, McEwan and any others who may wish, in the future, to use the bus stops. Obviously these buses must be fitted with the equipment to be part of the system.
I enquired a number of years ago, with Councillor Andrew Burns, about making this system accessible for blind and partially sighted people with an added audible system for a number of bus stops in the city centre. I was told at the time that the Council Transport Department were looking at two or three systems, but since then no one from the Transport Department has informed me of any developments on the research of these systems. Quite a number of people find the colouring of the screen unsuitable for reading. Audible systems are already in place in other parts of the country such as Dundee, Manchester, and Bournemouth, and I feel strongly that more city councils should get together and liaise with the Transport Operators to achieve best value for an accessible transport system.
As well as the above, some of the London buses also have the audible information system on them, informing the passengers of the next stop. A speaker system already exists in Edinburgh buses, so why not fit in the appropriate software to complete the system, which would also assist tourists as well as blind and disabled people? I am also concerned that there are seven or eight different models of buses in Edinburgh, which can be confusing to visually impaired people as seats are placed differently and fold down in various directions. In the future, why can it not be reduced to just two or three models, with the disabled area standardized, throughout the country? More and more buses are accessible for the disabled; however, there are two main bad practices: people not taking seats and standing between the door and the stairwell which blocks the exit and entrance, and mothers bringing prams on board, who are then unable to fold them down when a wheelchair needs the space. Bus drivers also have problems to take on or drop passengers, especially people in wheelchairs, because cars are being parked carelessly in bus stop areas. This can also lead to unnecessary traffic jams behind the buses, as cars cannot overtake the buses on narrow roads.
A consideration of the above mentioned points would help improve the transport system and would facilitate less stressful travelling for both passengers and drivers.