The Sunflower on bus and coach journeys
Buses and coaches can work well for some people with non-visible disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses. They can offer a direct connection between neighbourhoods, towns and rural communities, while a familiar route can make an everyday journey easier to manage.
There can still be difficult parts. Finding the correct stop, waiting without clear information, coping with a crowded vehicle or a changed route, and communicating with the driver can all create barriers. Some passengers may need more time to board. Others may need help checking where the bus is going or knowing when their stop is approaching.
Bus travel happens on a vast scale. In a 2018 consultation submitted to UN Climate Change, the International Association of Public Transport reported around 450 billion bus journeys a year worldwide.
What the Sunflower means
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a voluntary way for a passenger to indicate that they may need extra time, understanding or support. It does not disclose a diagnosis. It is not a priority pass, and staff should never ask why someone is wearing it.
When a driver or another member of staff sees the Sunflower, they should ask how they can help and listen to the answer. Useful support on a bus or coach journey might include checking the route, allowing more time to board, explaining a diversion clearly or helping the passenger recognise the right stop.
The operators and networks below recognise the Sunflower. Where an organisation publishes Sunflower information on its own website, its name is linked. Support and collection points vary, so check with the operator before travelling.
Bus operators and networks
Asia Pacific
Australia
Busways
The official Sunflower launch covered Busways' Adelaide services.
Newcastle Transport
Bus services in Newcastle, New South Wales. Its Sunflower recognition also covers its ferry and light rail services.
Europe
Denmark
BAT
Regional, local and town bus services on Bornholm.
FynBus
Bus and flex traffic services across Funen and Langeland.
Midttrafik
Urban, regional, local and flex bus services across Central Denmark.
Movia
Bus and flex traffic services across Zealand, Lolland, Falster and Møn.
Nordjyllands Trafikselskab
Bus and flex traffic services across North Denmark.
Sydtrafik
Bus and flex traffic services in southern Jutland.
France
Ginko Mobilités
Bus, coach and tram services across Grand Besançon Métropole.
Isle of Man
Bus Vannin
Island-wide scheduled bus services on the Isle of Man.
Netherlands
U-OV
Bus and tram services in the province of Utrecht.
Switzerland
Aargau Verkehr
Bus services in the cantons of Aargau, Zurich and Lucerne, operated through its Limmat Bus subsidiary.
Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe
Bus and tram services in Basel and the surrounding cross-border region.
Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern
Bus and trolleybus services in and around Lucerne.
United Kingdom
Go North East
Local bus services across North East England.
North America
Canada
Durham Region Transit
Scheduled, On Demand and specialised bus services across Durham Region, Ontario.
Hamilton Street Railway
Local bus services in Hamilton, Ontario.
GO Transit
Regional GO Bus services in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, extending into the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
MiWay
Local bus services in Mississauga, Ontario.
Roam Transit
Bus services in Banff, Canmore and the Bow Valley in Alberta.
United States
Link Transit
Fixed-route bus and paratransit services across Chelan and Douglas counties in Washington.
Sound Transit
ST Express regional bus services across the central Puget Sound area in Washington.
TriMet
Bus services across the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon.
Coach operators
Asia Pacific
Australia
NSW TrainLink
Regional coach services to destinations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
Europe
Ireland
GoBus
Intercity coach services in Ireland, operated as part of Irish Citylink.
United Kingdom
Readybus
Coach and minibus hire based in Slough, serving the United Kingdom and destinations beyond it.
North America
Canada
Ontario Northland
Intercity motor coach services across northern Ontario, with connections to Toronto and Ottawa.