Design student wins Nottingham 'Dragon’s Den style' competition

A Nottingham design student has been announced as the winner of a competition created to improve bus journeys for people with disabilities.

Minister for transport, Baroness Kramer announced the winning design entry of the ‘All Aboard’ competition at the Big Bang Fair held at the Birmingham NEC.

The winner, 17 year old Daria Buszta designed a vibrating wrist band incorporating a Bluetooth transmitter that alerts a bus driver when a passenger is close by wanting to travel.

Judges of the competition included, vice president of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Lord Low of Dalston, and musician, campaigner and producer for Action on Hearing Loss, Teresa Morini. Head judge, Baroness Kramer, said: “Disabled people have the same rights as anyone else to access public transport, but there remain obstacles. This competition, driven by the lack of audio-visual for the deaf and blind, was a fantastic opportunity to make buses more user-friendly for all of the passengers who rely on them.”

Ms Buszta was presented with a £1,000 cheque and will receive support from local business to transform her design into a functional prototype whilst also benefiting from £100,000 worth of additional funding from the Transport Systems Catapult.

The Transport Systems Catapult is one of seven technology and innovation centres run by UK-based innovation agency Innovate UK.

Ms Buszta added: “I wasn't expecting to win, but I'm excited that my idea will be made into a real working product. I'm so glad it will help so many people feel comfortable and independent on public transport.”

The All Aboard competition was launched as part of the Government’s ‘Accessible Britain Challenge’ to encourage local communities to ensure they’re accessible for people with disabilities.

Baroness Kramer added: “Daria came up with a very simple answer to a complicated problem. Her design was discrete, cost effective and has huge potential. This isn’t just an idea that will stay on paper. It will get serious backing and will hopefully start changing people’s lives in the not too distant future.”