Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS)
In situations where passengers may be considered vulnerable we provide an escort in addition to the driver. We recognise that they, as well as their drivers, share in a "duty of care" to their passengers and that to enable escorts to work effectively, and exercise that "duty of care", they require training.
Our escorts undergo PATS training, which includes the following modules:
- The role of the escort: this is a starting point and covers the role and responsibilities of the escort, including legal, practical and safety issues.
- Assisting passengers with disabilities: which includes general disability awareness and passenger assistance techniques.
- Assisting wheelchair users who travel in their wheelchairs: This includes loading and unloading using lifts and ramps and assisting wheelchair users to travel in their wheelchairs.
- Supervising children and young people with special needs: Which includes supervising children and young people with learning difficulties, autism, physical disabilities, sensory restrictions and emotional or behavioural difficulties.
- Working with adults who require care and supervision: This includes adult passengers with learning difficulties, dementia, physical disabilities, sensory restrictions and people in mental or emotional distress.
