Push for better customer experience for disabled people this Purple Tuesday

Possability People is delighted that Brighton & Hove and Metrobus is supporting international Purple Tuesday next week (2 November) by offering all disabled concessionary cardholders free travel for a plus one of their choice.

Purple Tuesday is about improving customer experience for disabled people by thinking about their needs year-round, not just on one day of the year, whether that’s catching public transport, visiting an art gallery, or going out for dinner.

The ‘purple pound’ refers to the spending power of disabled people and their families, estimated to be worth £274 billion per year in the UK. It’s growing fast too. Estimates suggest it is rising by 14% every year in the UK alone but less than 10% of organisations have a plan to harness this spending power by improving disabled people’s experiences as customers.

Brighton & Hove and Metrobus’ Managing Director Martin Harris said: “We’re pleased to support Purple Tuesday and to partner with Possability People. We hope as many people as possible take advantage of this plus 1 travel offer and find out how easy it is to catch our buses, whether that’s for a day out at the Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells, visiting family and friends in Crawley, or shopping at Churchill Square.

“We work with disabled people and local groups when we design our services and put out travel information, so our buses are as accessible as we can make them. Everybody deserves to feel relaxed and confident while they travel and to have the best customer experience possible.”

Martin said the Purple Tuesday offer applied to travel anywhere on the Brighton and Hove or Metrobus network. To take advantage of the offer, identify your plus one to your bus driver when you board.

Some concessionary cardholders will already have a plus one on their card – these cards say ‘+C’ on them – these passengers will be allowed two people travelling with them free on Purple Tuesday. Normal concessionary time restrictions will still apply.

“Purple Tuesday presents an opportunity for businesses and services to welcome disabled people and understand that being accessible doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive. Brighton and Hove Buses are a great example of what can be achieved.     “We’re lucky to have such a responsible bus service in Brighton and Hove, committed to making bus travel as accessible possible. We hope disabled people will take up the purple plus one offer.” 

Geraldine Des Moulins

Chief Executive of Possability People

You can find cheap scooter hire, if you use the bus to get to Churchill Square, with Possability People’s  Shopmobility service. These scooters fit on all of Brighton and Hove buses.

For more information: https://www.buses.co.uk/plus-one-purple-tuesday