ipswich: Transport chiefs and pensioner groups have praised a town bus company for improving access for the elderly and disabled.

From 2009, the First bus depot in the Cattle Market, Ipswich, started to receive low floor vehicles.

Today, a spokesperson for First told the Evening Star that the company was delighted to announce that the entire fleet of buses in Ipswich are now complete with low floors – dramatically increasing accessibility for passengers of all ages.

All passengers can now board the buses with ease and comfort.

The services will be easily accessible for wheelchair users and buses will be buggy friendly –meaning passengers can bring their buggies on board all buses without having to fold it up.

Alan Pilbeam, Managing Director of First East England, meet with council leaders and disability user groups to mark the event and discuss how these improvements would benefit passengers across the town.

He said: “I am pleased that we will be able to offer quality transport alternatives.

“Our vision to transform travel and to provide reliable, sustainable and a safe bus service to our passengers is paramount.

“We are further committed to making transport accessible to all passengers.”

Mr Pilbeam met with transport chiefs including Sally Harper, passenger transport services group manager and Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for transport yesterday to discuss the positive aspects of the low floor buses.

Shirley Sadler, a trustee for Age Concern Suffolk, later told the Evening Star that she hoped other companies across Suffolk would

“Age Concern are delighted to know that First buses are improving their facilities for the older generations,” she said.

“We hope that other bus companies will follow suit because it is so important.”

n What do you think about the town’s facilities for the elderly and disabled? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or alternatively you can send an e-mail to eveningstar letters@eveningstar.co.uk