Trainee guide puppies board bus for first time

First Bus invited charity Guide Dogs, to its depot in Norwich

Matthew Gudgin/BBC Richard Bussien, a man wearing a blue top with a blue fleece and hi-vis jacket. He is stood with a golden retriever dog who are both getting on a bus. — First Bus invited charity Guide Dogs, to its depot in Norwich

Trainee guide puppies took to the roads when they went on their first bus journey.

First Bus offered the opportunity to charity Guide Dogs at its depot in Roundtree Way, Norwich, Norfolk, to help the canines become accustomed with bus travel.

The company hoped to make its services more accessible to those who are blind, visually impaired, and for those who use guide dogs.

James McCluskey, commercial director at First Bus East of England, said: "For the dogs it will feel like a normal first trip... we want to make our buses accessible for everyone."

As part of the experience, the dogs practiced getting on and off the bus as well as going for their first ride.

James McCluskey said it was great for the dogs to have the experience

Matthew Gudgin/BBC James McCluskey, a man in a white shirt, a red tie and red jumper. He is wearing a fluorescent hi-vis jacket and is looking into the camera and smiling. — James McCluskey said it was great for the dogs to have the experience

Mr McCluskey said the experience was exciting for the drivers and gave the young dogs a chance to "get the jitters" out the way.

"It's great they get this experience without customers on board or a timetable to maintain so they can actually have the day focused to them so they can get familiar with some of the challenges they are going to face in their working lives," he said.

Richard Bussien has trained a guide dog since she was eight weeks old and said she was a "bright little button"

Matthew Gudgin/BBC Richard Bussien, a man who is looking at the camera. He is wearing a blue top and darker blue fleece and a fluorescent hi-vis jacket. — Richard Bussien has trained a guide dog since she was eight weeks old and said she was a "bright little button"

Volunteer Richard Bussien was at the session with his eight-month-old golden retriever.

He said: "We have to try and introduce them to buses and trains because the idea is to get them used to every experience as possible.

"She's quite a bright little button. Willing to learn. Fingers crossed in time she will become a guide dog."

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